NESSIE could have helped WW1 after a German U-boat, allegedly attacked by a 'sea monster' was discovered by engineers laying a power cable off the Ayrshire coast.

The historic discovery was made near Stranraer last week by engineers involved in the £1bn Western Link Project to lay a subsea power line between Ayrshire and the Wirral.

The wreck of the submarine is believed to be UB-85 that sank in 1918 according to official records but naval folklore suggests this might have been a 'monster attack.'

Although Nessie is supposed to reside in Inverness historians say she could have 'moved location.'

Gary Campbell, the keeper of the Official Sightings Register of the Loch Ness Monster, said it was "entirely feasible" that a large sea creature disabled the submarine.

Once aboard the British ship HM Drifter Coreopsis, their commander, Captain Krech described their encounter in 1918.

He is said to have spoken of a beast with "large eyes, set in a horny sort of skull…with teeth that could be seen glistening in the moonlight".

He apparently claimed that the sub was so damaged in its battle with the "monster", it could no longer submerge.

However, Dr Innes McCartney, a historian and nautical archaeologist who helped identify the wreckage, does not believe the tale.

"In reality, the real sea monster was the U-boat, here trying to sink ships," he said.

But the discovery would not have been taken place if it weren't for the 385km (239miles) long cable which will benefit all of Ayrshire will carry renewable energy produced in Scotland to England and Wales.

The wreckage is about 45m long, with debris spilling from the stern.