A rarely-spotted octopus has been found stranded on the beach in Herne Bay.

Dad Paul Lowing came across the eight-legged creature, which was beached in the sand, while walking by the sea adjacent to Austin Avenue with his son.

The stranded animal, which is usually found hidden under rocks on the south coast, was photographed yesterday close to the same spot where a similar octopus was spotted in the shallows three years ago.

It was found in a foot of water off Hampton, and was photographed by dad-of-two Alex Surridge.

Although octopuses are found in parts of the southern British Isles, they are usually very difficult to see because they live in crevices.

The creatures tend to like rocky environments, and sightings on the north Kent coast, a muddy area, are very rare.

Read more: All the latest news from Herne Bay