Islanders woke up this morning to discover the Loch Ness Monster had swum south.

According to the Facebook page of the Maunsell Seaforts Appreciation Group, Scotland's mysterious tourist attraction has now taken up residence guarding the Isle of Sheppey's 'bomb ship' the SS Richard Montgomery.

A picture of the prehistoric throwback, gently nudging the masts of the Second World War American munitions ship which sank off Sheerness in August 1944 packed with explosives, was uploaded by photographer Margaret Flo McEwan.

She wrote: "Strange things occurring this morning out on the Thames Nesstuary..."

The page also included a shot of Nessie exploring the Maunsell sea forts which are off the Kent coast near Herne Bay.

One wag wrote on the group, which has 6,700 members: "Nessy must be on her annual holidays." Another added: "Who doesn't like a holiday by the sea?"

It could also have something to do with today's date.

It also prompted a recirculation of a post from Swale council, which covers Sheppey, Sittingbourne and Faversham, which got into the April action back in 2017.

It announced traffic congestion between the Island and the rest of Kent could become a thing of the past if plans for an ambitious new scheme are approved.

It said plans to install a zip wire alongside the Sheppey Crossing had been lodged.

The new crossing, dubbed High Wire 1 (HW1) would be able to carry up to 161 people per hour across The Swale, significantly reducing the number of car journeys using the Sheppey Crossing and Kingsferry Bridge.

Welcoming the scheme Thomas Cheney, a spokesman for Grey Dolphin, the firm behind the plans, said: "We want to make sure that people can get to and from the Island quickly and this scheme should help slash journey times in a way that doesn't impact on the treasured local environment.

"HW1 will provide a great way for commuters to get fresh air instead of being stuck in traffic. And they’ll arrive at work invigorated and alert."

He added: “The scheme will also benefit the thousands of people who visit the Island every year looking for five days' peregrination, as well as being a convenient way to cross the Swale. It will be a great setting for a selfie!"

He said there will be a "small charge" to cover running costs and providing a life-jacket "in case things go a bit wrong".

Mr Cheney went on: "If it proves as successful as we hope, we are developing plans for HW2 further around the coast along the route of the Harty Ferry. HW2 would be aimed more at the eco-tourist market by connecting two of our stunning national nature reserves. Though, market testing has also shown it could be popular with dog-walkers."

Sheikh Mihand, a Sittingbourne member of the Monster Raving Loony Party, complained. He said: "This idea has been nicked from the Loony Party loonyfiesto which I put forward in 2010."

To see what other mad ideas were going on today, click here.