Marine engineers working on a £1 billion subsea cable laying project have discovered the wreck of a German U-boat off the coast of Wigtownshire.

The Western Link scheme is a joint venture between ScottishPower and National Grid to take renewable power from Scotland to homes and businesses in England and Wales.

However, during sea bed surveying work off the Scottish south west coast, engineers have found the remains of a 100-year-old submarine from World War I.

Experts believe the vessel to be that of UB-85, a submarine that according to folklore was attacked by a sea monster while patrolling Scotland's coastline towards the end of the war.

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Graham Edwards from National Grid, said: "The Western Link is a very significant project for the UK and has required careful planning in all aspects, but particularly in the laying of high voltage cables in the sea, where we are working hard to minimise our impact on the environment.  During construction we take great care over archaeology, whether on land or at sea, and it's always exciting to record a significant find and help to shed new light on our history – especially one with such a good tale involved."

The Western Link cable project is being delivered by a consortium of Siemens and Prysmian.

Once completed, the development will be around 385km long and will run from Ardneil Bay in North Ayrshire, Scotland to the Wirral peninsula in north west England.

(LM/MH)