The mysterious ‘Cragen’ sea monster will be reaching Tenby on it’s ‘Year of the Sea’ tour at the end of the month, followed by an organised beach clean.

Experts have predicted that ‘Cragen’ will land at Tenby’s North Beach during the evening of Friday, July 27, and will be seen from the town, harbour and beaches crossing the bay anytime from 6.30 pm!

‘Cragen’ is said to dwell off the coast of Wales and experts have predicted that she will appear along the coastline at ten locations with an important clean seas message.

Visitors and communities will gasp at her ingenuity and be amazed by her size, as she returns unwanted plastic waste from the sea to the land.

The makers and creators of the giant sea-faring puppet are Cardigan-based Small World Theatre who are excited about touring their latest giant (approximately 20-metres long) in Pembrokeshire, as well as Ceredigion, Isle of Anglesey and Conwy, encouraging people to explore Visit Wales’ newly launched ‘The Wales Way’.

Cragen is set to attract the support of local businesses and plastic free community groups, including the Plastic Free Tenby campaign.

This project has received funding via the Tourism Product Innovation Fund (TPIF) and supported through the Welsh Government Rural Communities - Rural Development Programme 2014-2020, which is funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) and the Welsh Government; the Fund aims to encourage new innovative product ideas working in partnership which will have a greater impact and attract more visitors.

The performance on the North Beach will take place at 7 pm, followed at 8 pm, by a Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority and Keep Wales Tidy led beach clean, where members of the public are encouraged to join the beach clean activity with Guto Harries PCNPA Ranger and Simon Preddy Keep Wales Tidy .

“Cragen will be staying on the small beach for up to an hour giving visitors the chance to take photos with a giant sea monster!” said Sam Vicary of Small World Theatre

“There will be filming and photography taking place at this event, so please join the fun by taking a photo and posting it to your favourite social media channel using the hashtags.

“As well as Cragen, look out for the dolphin, fish and razorbill sculptures that were commissioned by PCNPA for the ‘Year of the Sea’.

“As a coastal national park the organisation wanted to focus on the issue of marine litter, the devastating impact it can have on our environment and wildlife, and also what people can do to help reduce their impact. Created by Toby Downing the sculptures are ‘decorated’ with marine litter from local beaches,” he continued.

Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport, Lord-Elis Thomas said: “The Year of the Sea gives us an excellent opportunity to show our fantastic coastline to the world. From our 50 islands, our 230 beaches with more Blue Flags per mile than anywhere else in Britain - to our world-first 870mile long Wales Coast Path.

“However, it also gives us a platform to raise awareness of the need to care for our environment - and the impact our activities can have on our seas and coastline. The Welsh Government is committed to reducing the use of single use plastics, and I’m delighted that we’ve been able to support this innovative project by the Small World Theatre.

“Cragen will help raise awareness of the impact of single use plastics and the backdrop of our amazing coastline will be a reminder of the beauty that needs to be kept for future generations,” he added.

You can follow Cragen’s travels online at cleanseascragen.wales and share your ‘sightings’ on social media using the hashtags #cleanseascragen #findyourepic #cleanseas