A white witch from Sussex cast a spell over Loch Ness today in an effort to thwart a Swedish scientist's attempts to catch the Loch Ness Monster.

Kevin Carlyon from Hastings used his powers as a high priest in the British Coven of White Witches to cast a spell over the murky loch in a bid to protect the water and all the creatures within it.

He hopes to scupper the plans of Jan Sundberg, who is hoping to catch the elusive creature and take DNA samples.

In what was dubbed the Clash of the Titans, Mr Carlyon met his adversary against the stunning backdrop of Drumnadrochit marina, near Inverness, where they exchanged some fiery words.

The 42-year-old former wrestler dropped a talisman into the loch in a move he claims will give him the power to protect the waters for life.

But Swedish scientist Mr Sundberg, 53, dubbed the witch's move "mumbo jumbo" claiming the Englishman was simply getting in the way of his second search for Nessie.

The scientist, who is the leader of the Global Underwater Search team, has co-ordinated a 12-day mission, called Operation Cleansweep to try and track the monster.

Speaking next to his small family sized boat Highland Commander, Mr Sundberg, said: "I am pretty sure there is something out there and I am convinced we have the equipment to track it down."

But the bearded scientist was annoyed by Kevin Carlyon's presence and dismissed the scepticism about his Scottish adventure which he has planned for the last four years.

Mr Sundberg said: "I really don't know what a witch is doing here. It irritates me that he is here today because he is nothing more than an unnecessary nuisance.

"I am trying to be as scientific as possible while he casts mumbo jumbo spells."

But the white witch, who claims to have successfully exorcised a Royal Mail post office and helped couples become more fertile, said the crew had no right to disturb the sea life in the famous loch.

"Nessie is a Scottish legend and if, as I'm 90% sure, it is in there, I believe it should be left in peace," he said.

"I don't want to see marine life harmed and the spells I have cast today will grant me the power of positive thoughts to protect everything in there."

Mr Carlyon said he had received more than 100 letters from across the world begging him to put a stop to the crew's aquatic mission.

Dressed in an orange robe, with his long blond hair tied in a pony tail, the white witch blessed nature's elements using incense, candles and stones to ward off the evil spirits he claimed could be in the area.