Lake Monsters in Manchester

With its razor-sharp teeth and mammoth body measuring 5ft in length, this mystery monster could be an unknown, ancient creature from the depths

The huge beast still has a mouth full of teeth and one walker said he could fit his entire fist inside.

Pictures of the creature, which have been posted by multiple shocked walkers, have sparked a debate on whether the lake monster was an ancient beast or just a dead pike.

They have been shared more than 200 times in a bid to clear up the mystery.

Sales worker Jonny Beckett, 32, said he was 'stunned' when he saw the beast during a romantic walk with his partner Suzanne.

The huge beast still has a mouth full of teeth and one walker said he could fit his entire fist inside

The discovery of the corpse on the shore of Hollingworth Lake in Rochdale, Greater Manchester, on Monday has sparked a social media frenzy

He said: 'I thought it was a crocodile or some ancient creature and I immediately took a photo of it.

'It looked huge - about 5ft in length. A group of kids saw me taking the photo and looked horrified.'

Myron Szymanskyj, who also shared his photos of the beast, said: 'I eyeballed the deceased monster.

'Anyone know what the thing with substantial teeth is and a mouth wide enough to accommodate a human fist?

'I turned it over and boy did it stink.'

Sales worker Jonny Beckett, 32, said he was 'stunned' when he saw the beast during a romantic walk with his partner Suzanne

Visitors at the reservoir, which is almost 400 miles from Loch Ness, estimated that it was almost 5ft in length

Pikes are regularly found in the 130-acre reservoir and have been known to grow to more than 4ft.

Some users are adamant that the beast is the corpse of a pike but others are not convinced and have vowed to steer clear of the lake.

Carole Ann Gleeson said: 'What eva it is a monster or a pike. It's bloody horrible I won't paddle in the lake again, that's for sure.'

Emma Lorraine Mitchell added: 'Some pike that is. That looks lethal, I wonder if thats the only one or if there are more or if its ancient.'

Emma Meredith said: 'Aww I was going to have a drive up weekend with the kids I think I'll pass now.'