Beachgoers were shocked to discover the skeleton of a mermaid while soaking up the sun.

The bones were spotted on Worthing beach near Heene Road, by Ben Marchant on Monday afternoon.

It appears to be a normal-looking skeleton until the hips, where the legs have seemingly fused together to make a mermaid's tail.


Read more: Mermaids take over seafront as part of annual glittery march


Waves were lapping up onto the skeleton as it sat against a groyne on the shingle beach.

Ben shared a picture of the skeletal remains on Facebook group Worthing Now and Then.

He asked: "What is this?"

Some suggested it could be a prop from a film, or the work of an art student at nearby Northbrook College.

The Argus: WorthingWorthing (Image: The Argus)

But The Argus understands the work is that of artist Rockabilly Rosie Lee, who shared a picture of the skeleton in the back of a car.

One commenter said: "Imagine getting pulled over with that in the back."

Rosie added: "It was a real challenge. I was given the half skeleton and asked for a full-size mermaid in return.

"It went through several metamorphoses, before the last one was chosen. It was probably the messiest project to date."