A shell of the largest sea turtle species in the world was found washed up at Manorbier beach this week.

Some times they are a rare sight off the West Coast in summer months, but very rarely spotted elsewhere in UK seas.The largest leatherback turtle ever recorded was found dead on a North Wales beach in 1988 - the animal was over 2m long, weighed 900kg (2000 lbs) and was around 100 years old!

This photo of the remains of the leatherback turtle was sent into the Observer by Caroline Barber of Penally who was walking her Jack Russell dogs on Wednesday morning.

She reported the discovery to the RSPCA, Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, and Pembrokeshire Marine Wildlife.

“I wasn’t sure if it was definitely a turtle but it was confirmed by Pembrokeshire Marine Wildlife,” she said.

“I’ve never seen anything like that there, never ever,” she continued.

The leatherback sea turtle, is the largest of all living turtles and is the fourth-heaviest modern reptile behind three crocodilians.

A spokesperson for Pembrokeshire Marine Wildlife confirmed the identity of the carcass stating that Marine Strandings has been informed.

“It is fairly rare though they do regularly feed on jellyfish in Carmarthen Bay,” they added.