A Great Yarmouth marine biologist has said it would not be impossible for Great White sharks to appear off our coastlines.

Darren Gook, 32, from the town's Sea Life Centre has been a marine biologist for more than 10 years.

He said: 'There have been a lot of changes in the world's environment, with climate change we have been seeing animals turning up here, there and everywhere and in places where we never knew they were before.

'For a Great White to occur off the coast of Britain I wouldn't say it's impossible. The closest one has ever been confirmed to Britain is in the Northern Bay of Biscay which is roughly 168 miles from Lands' End in Cornwall.

'That may sound like a massive distance but to a Great White shark which can cover thousands of miles it is nothing for them. There is nothing to stop them going anywhere they want.'

It comes after reports of a Great White in the Solent near Hayling Island which has led local council bosses to assure members of the public that emergency plans are in place.

Norfolk has a mass of sea life along its coastline but Mr Gook believes the west of the country is more likely to see the creature which gained notoriety in the Jaws films.

'If we were going to have a Great White shark appear off our coastline I would expect it to be the south west coast,' Mr Gook continued, 'For a Great White to be in UK waters would be amazing in itself and for one to appear off the Norfolk coast it would be on another level.

'We have an abundance of seals so there is plenty along the Norfolk coast for the shark. If one was to appear I don't think it would be off the coast of Norfolk.'

There is no documented proof of a Great White shark appearing in UK waters but Mr Gook said there is also lacking evidence to say there isn't.

'For a Great White to appear off our coastline it should be something to be excited about as the population is down by up to 90pc,' Mr Gook added.