2 August 2011 Last updated at 09:41 ET

Thresher shark spotted off Devon

Jim Millar on his sighting of a Thresher shark, a rare visitor to the area

A fisherman spotted a Thresher shark off Devon where it is rarely seen.

Jim Millar, from Brixham, had fished without success for more than three hours, off Dartmouth, when he spotted a fin emerge from the water.

Thresher sharks are described as "vulnerable" and decreasing in numbers, by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

Mr Millar, 46, said it was the first time he had seen the fish in 10 years of fishing there.

He said: "I've never seen anything like that. It was amazing to see it, outstanding.

"It was about 15ft (4.5m) with its tail. I wasn't worried but was quite happy to see it at the distance it was."