'Biggest' of a 'lifetime’ waterspout spotted off Llantwit Major coast during surfing competition

A waterspout, described as the "biggest of a lifetime" has been spotted off the coast near Llantwit Major in south Wales.

James Thomas, 47, noticed the funnel cloud on Saturday morning as he was watching a surfing competition.

The natural weather phenomenon, also called 'tuba' are formed when a rotating column of wind draws in cloud droplets and touches down onto water.

Mr Thomas said he has seen "quite a few" waterspouts over the Bristol Channel "but this was by far the biggest" and "the best example" of one he will ever see in his "lifetime".

Much of the UK experienced powerful winds and wet weather over the weekend with several warnings in place across Wales for wind and rain.

Mr Thomas, an agent in the watersports industry, said he spied Saturday’s weather spectacle while watching a surfing contest.

“It started off fairly small, and quite high in the sky, and as we continued to watch, it appeared to get darker and began angling itself towards the surface of the sea, as if it was coming towards us,” he explained.

“I quickly realised it was a waterspout when I could see the rotating spray on the water’s surface, like a magnetic energy.

“I was shouting to all the competitors to look up and see this phenomenal natural occurrence.”

The sighting comes as the Met Office warn windy and showery conditions seen over the weekend will continue into Monday morning across Wales.

Strong gusts meant the Met Office issued a yellow weather warning for wind on Sunday while a warning for heavy rain was also issued throughout much of the week. The strong gusts meant the Severn Bridge, over the Bristol Channel, was temporarily closed to vehicles during part of Sunday.