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(Image: LYDIA BEARDSMORE)

The beast was snapped in the shallow waters at Preston Beach in Paignton, Devon, on Tuesday.

Witnesses said it terrified sunseekers enjoying the scorching 30C heatwave at the coast.

Hayley Woodman, 26, said she was spooked by the creature.

The mum, who was holidaying in the town, said: "It was scary. I saw the shadow first and then realised it was a shark.

"It was huge so it was worrying. I thougt it was a great white.

"I decided not to go in the water after that because it looked dangerous."

(Image: LYDIA BEARDSMORE)

And runner Lydia Beardsmore admitted she was "concerned" by the beast.

The student said: "I was just about to start my run when I saw the small shadow in the water.

"I was surprised to see it's fins sticking out the water."

She added: "This encounter was something else.

"It is an experience I won't forget in a hurry."

Families panicked in fear less than four miles away in Torquay, Devon, in July after a shark swarmed swimmers in shallow water.

Anglers reeled in a whopping 26st shark, which was thought to be the "largest ever" caught in UK waters off the coast of Cornwall at the start of August.

And fears grew last month that the waters off the coast of Skegness, Lincs., had become "infested" with sharks.