Bioluminescent plankton spotted in Cornwall

Visitors to Kynance Cove managed to catch a glimpse of the rare sight last weekend

A number of bioluminescent plankton have been spotted off the coast of Cornwall.

Bioluminescent plankton are small creatures floating in the sea that have the ability to emit light when disturbed by a predator or motion.

Visitors to Kynance Cove managed to catch a glimpse of the rare sight last weekend.

Thomas Winstone was visiting the area from Wales with a friend, attempting to photograph a milkyway through the "clear Cornish skies", but then stumbled across the Plankton on Sunday night.

Bioluminescent plankton are small creatures floating in the sea

Mr Winstone happens to co-run a social media group dedicated to bioluminescent plankton, where people from across the UK come together to share sightings of the phenomenon.

"Seeing it in Cornwall was quite special," he said.

"Only by chance, when recomposing a photo, that I entered the water and at this point I saw the 'sparkles'," he added.

"We went to Kynance and initially shot from the cliff but whilst up there we could see the blue waves shining."

He added: "I couldn't believe that by pure chance I found it in Cornwall.

"The trip was last minute when my mate messaged me to see if I wanted to head to the clear Cornish skies and try for the milkyway, knowing there is an active meteor shower and no moon it was all too good to be true."