Crocodile reportedly on the loose in Bristol

Police officer was flagged down by bus driver who claimed to have seen a six-foot crocodile under a bridge

(Getty)

Police have been searching for a 6ft crocodile reportedly on the loose in Bristol on Monday.

Nick Gargan, the Chief Constable of Avon and Somerset Police, said the reptile had been spotted under the Coronation Bridge.

He wrote on Twitter yesterday: "One of our officers was flagged down by a bus driver today, claiming to have seen a 6ft crocodile under Coronation Bridge. We can't find it."

When asked by one Twitter user whether there was a crocodile on the loose, Mr Gargan replied: "it may mean precisely that, madam. No need to stay indoors - but you may want to think twice before you go water-skiing."

No other details of the crocodile sighting have been released by the force. A police spokesperson said: "We were called at 10:28am on Monday, to reports of a crocodile sighted on Bedminster Bridge.

"We carried out a search of the area but found no trace of the reptile."

The elusive crocodile even has its own Twitter page Chris the Croc - with the Twitter handle @TheBristolCroc - which has already amassed nearly 900 followers.

Additional reporting by Press Association