A snorkeller is reported to have been bitten by a shark in Cornwall and had to be helped by coastguards. 

Coastguards have confirmed they responded to an incident last week involving a snorkeller who got more than she bargained for during an encounter with a shark.

According to the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, Penzance Coastguard Rescue Team was dispatched to what was suspected to be a shark bite off the coast of Penzance.

She has since spoken about it here: Snorkeller bitten by shark describes experience as 'very scary'

The female snorkeller went out with a local company that offers snorkelling trips to see blue sharks, one of several species of shark that have been known to migrate from the Atlantic to the West Cornwall coast during the summer months.

A spokesperson for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency said: "HM Coastguard sent Penzance Coastguard Rescue Team to meet a snorkeller who suffered a suspected shark bite.

"The coastguard was notified just before 12.30pm on Thursday (July 28).

"It is believed the swimmer suffered a leg injury.

"The coastguard team met the casualty at Penzance harbour to assist with passing them into the care of the ambulance service."

The Packet has contacted the company that provides the snorkelling with sharks experience for comment.

Shark bites are rare in the UK and, over the past few decades, significant efforts have been made to change the public's mindset of sharks being a threat to humans.

It has been reported that, of the roughly 475 species of shark, it is believed only 12 are actually known to pose a threat to humans.

There are six species of shark that have been known to frequent Cornwall waters, the basking shark, porbeagle shark, thresher shark, blue shark, starry smooth-hound, and the thornback ray.