A DIVER had a chance encounter with the largest jellyfish in British waters while on holiday.

Rhizostoma pulmo - commonly known as the barrel jellyfish due to its shape and size - is found in the Atlantic during the summer months.

At least two made their way to the south coast of Cornwall via the Atlantic, where Michelle Walton, 53, was on a diving holiday with her partner, Peter Love, 51.

Ms Walton said: “When I went to Porthkerris beach I’d heard one had been sighted from fellow divers.

“It was a magical experience - it’s the way they move, more like a pulse and the tendrils have this amazing pattern up close.

“One came close and swam around me and it didn’t collide with me so it must’ve sensed I was there but I felt no fear.

“When we reached the surface I was so pleased and almost cried with the emotion of it all.

“Peter told me later it was the largest species of jellyfish in British waters.”

She spotted the jellyfish on the last day of the holiday in June at the end of a 40 minute long dive.

Ms Walton, from Kidderminster, added: “I get to see stuff that people don’t get to see.

“The diving training and the buying of equipment is expensive but once you have all of that, it’s just regular servicing and there is so much to see in the water around Britain.”

She is a member of the Worcester club Seastyle Diving, based at the Three Kings Trading Estate.

The club runs many diving holidays around the world and closer to home as well as hosting regular social gatherings.

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Ms Walton, who works in marketing at the Worcester News, said: “I volunteer with the club for the children’s scuba class and I see this as a way to give something back.

“I love diving and want to inspire others to take it up.”

Anyone interested in learning to dive can contact Elwyn or Lesley Harper at Seastyle Diving on: 01905 351528.