Adult leatherbacks are regularly seen in UK waters

Adults have been seen regularly in UK waters but sightings of juveniles, less than 1m (3.28ft) in length, have been rarely recorded.

The Marine Conservation Society (MCS) has had two reports of the smaller turtles spotted at different locations.

Peter Richardson from the MCS said he was "very excited" by the reports.

'Independent sighting'

The first sighting was reported on 9 August by a wind-surfer at Constantine Bay.

The second report of small turtles was on 16 August, from a surfer who spotted a turtle in calm waters off Fistral Beach, Newquay.

"We were fairly sceptical when we received the first sighting of a 45cm leatherback turtle because leatherbacks of this size are rarely reported in UK waters," said Mr Richardson, MCS species policy officer.

"But when we received another independent sighting later in August from a surfer who managed to get a good look at the animal we got very excited."

Leatherbacks, the largest of the marine turtles, grow up to 3m (9.85 ft) in length and weigh up to a tonne.

People are being asked to report all turtle sightings to Turtle, the national database of turtle sightings.