FISHERMEN have spoken of their shock at uncovering a huge shipwreck in the Severn Estuary.

A group of three fishermen from Black Rock Lave Net Fishery were out in the Bedwin Sands area, near to Rogiet on Saturday, when they came across the shipwreck of at least 25 to 30 metres.

Martin Morgan, secretary of the Black Rock fishery, said it was one of the most impressive finds of recent years. The ship was only uncovered due to the extreme spring tides of the last week, and when fishermen returned to the site it had disappeared.

When the fishermen from Black Rock Lave Net returned to the site they found the shipwreck had been taken back out again to the estuary.

The remains are believed to have included the gunnel and iron brackets of the mid-section of the ship.

The find measured around 25 to 30 metres but the remainder of the ship may have been even bigger.

Speaking after the find, Mr Morgan said: “It’s fantastic. We were just walking the fishing grounds and these things pop up.

“”It’s part of our heritage and history lying in the mud and silt and the estuary occasionally throws it up.”

Since making the find, the Black Rock fishery posted the news on its Facebook page to a huge response.

Some believe the ship could be a former Severn Trow boat used for transporting goods up the River Severn and over the estuary.

“It’s so interesting how it got there,” added Mr Morgan.

“Why is it there, how much of it is there?

“There are 101 different questions.”

The Black Rock Lave Net fishery have made several interesting finds over recent times, including 14th century fishing baskets.

However Mr Morgan said this one is one of the most interesting.

He added: “I would say this is one of the most interesting in recent times.

“There’s a lot of potential for research. It is quite fascinating.”

The Lave Net Fishermen at Black Rock all come from the villages of Sudbrook, Portskewett and Caldicot and are the last Lave Net fishermen in Wales.

The tradition of Lave Net fishing at Black Rock has been passed down through the generations.

If you have any information about the discovery, call Mr Morgan on 01633 880494 or contact the group through its website, blackrocklavenets.co.uk.