A NORTH-EAST Nessie spotter is in the running to win a £2,000 cash prize for his image of the elusive creature.

Andrew Dixon, from Darlington, made waves with Nessie fans across the world when he spotted what appeared to be a shadowy form with two giant flippers swimming through the water of Loch Ness last year.

The water nearby appears to be very calm, visibility is good and there is no boat activity anywhere.

The 27-year-old found the image by accident while using an iPhone satellite map app.

Mr Dixon, who works as a charity collector for the Great North Air Ambulance, said: “It was just out of boredom. I was sat on my phone and I thought I would have a look as I know that something had been seen before.

“It was unbelievable. Straightaway I thought is it Nessie?”

His photo has since been studied by the Official Loch Ness Monster Fan Club, whose president, Gary Campbell, said: “It’s just below the surface – the size would make it likely to be Nessie.”

The group has also entered Mr Dixon’s photo into the Best Nessie Sighting of The Year competition sponsored by betting giant William Hill.

He is up against four other contenders and needs public votes to win the £2,000 cash prize.

To vote, visit inverness-courier.co.uk/News

Voting closes on Sunday (January 11).