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Former F1 driver Eddie Irvine has told how he survived a terrifying shark attack - by hitting it with a SPEAR.

He said that he hit the shark in the Caribbean but it continued to chase him as he tried to swim away.

The Formula One Legend, who drover for Ferrari, Jordan and Jaguar, recounted his ordeal which happened while diving near his home in the Bahamas.

"I turned to face it - not so easy to do - and hit it with my spear," he said according to the Sun.

"It turned away but came back as I reversed out of his territory."

His comments were made on his social media site where he added: "It was dusk - so I guess I deserved it a bit."

(Image: rEX)

Earlier this month, Irvine was sentenced to six months in prison by an Italian court over a nightclub brawl in Milan.

Irvine, from County Down in Northern Ireland, and former Milan mayor's son Gabriele Moratti fought in the VIP section of the club in December 2008.

They both accused one another of using a glass and both were found guilty of "mutual injury".

However it is unlikely that either of them will actually serve time