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some unprecedented media attention, featuring in UK national newspapers, and in print and digital media across the world.

Villager Mary Young said: “The ‘monster’ has certainly piqued interest. We were inundated overnight with people wanting to join the Killearn For All page. When I then went trawling online, I discovered word had certainly spread! Unfortunately we have to limit it to those who have a connection with the village.

“Jimmy was contacted by one reporter from a well-known outlet who wanted to do a story — but when they realised the creature wasn’t ‘actually real’ they said their paper couldn’t use the story! But there were also others asking for permission to use the photo, including from abroad.

“Maybe we should now expect busloads of people descending on Killearn! What is amazing is the number of folk who have taken it totally seriously.”

“When I came towards it,” said Jimmy, who retired as an NHS general manager for mental health services in Glasgow in 2006, “I was struck by how prolific it was and took a picture. I thought it looked like a dinosaur. I took the picture, put it on the Killearn For All facebook page and the comments began.

“One resident, Mary Young, suggested we try to get someone to name it, so I agreed to donate £100 to the charity of choice of the person who comes up with the name with the most ‘likes’.

“At the end of the day if it gets people talking and gives everyone a bit of escape from all the bad news there seems to be at the moment then it’s all good. If it brightens up someone’s day and makes some money for charity all the better.”