'Monster's head' photographed on the surface of Loch Ness

Mysterious shape: International paranormal investigator, Jonathon Bright, took this photo three years ago

* Paranormal investigator Jonathon Bright took the photo three years ago

* Image shows peculiar shape emerging from the water of the Loch Ness

* Mr Bright believes it may be monster's head and is searching for answers

* Renowned monster hunter spoke at Paranormal Festival in Stirling this week

* According to online register - there have been 1067 Nessie sightings in total

It is one the world's most tantalising mysteries - and over the years experts have flocked to the Scottish Highlands to answer its call.

Now an international paranormal investigator turned monster hunter believes he may have found proof that the Loch Ness Monster exists.

Jonathon Bright, a Greek known around the world by his English name, has captured what appears to be Nessie's head emerging from the deep waters.

Full view: In Mr Bright's photo, a strange shape visibly emerges from the rough waters of the Loch Ness

The image is remarkably similar to the underwater picture taken in 1972 by esteemed scientist, Dr Robert Rines, who spent years searching for the elusive creature with sophisticated underwater cameras and sonar equipment.

He died in 2009 never having obtained conclusive proof but his 'gargoyle head' picture and one of what appears to be a long-necked beast swimming through the water remain the best images of what could be Nessie.

Although Mr Bright is not claiming to have a photo proving Nessie's existence, he plans to return to Loch Ness after examining thousands more images he has taken in and around Loch Ness on his second trip there this week.

The 46 year old said yesterday: 'I investigate the paranormal but I also investigate legends and Nessie is one of them.

'Among others I have looked at is the Dracula stories and I travelled extensively in Transylvania to investigate that.

Paranormal investigator: The self-styled Greek 'monster hunter' is hoping to find definitive proof that the Loch Ness Monster exists and is heading back to the Scottish Highlands to find answers

'Three years ago, I came to Scotland to investigate the Nessie legend and took thousands of photographs.

'It took me six months to look at them all and I found this one which I showed when I spoke at the Scottish Paranormal Festival in Stirling this week.

Comparison: Mr Bright believes his photo resembles the gargoyle head drawn by Dr Bob Rhines, an esteemed scientist who spent years investigating the Loch Ness Monster in the 1970s

'After I had finished there, I came north to spend more time searching for an answer to the Nessie story. My picture is a talking point.

'Some people will say it is physical and the monster, others will say it is a trick of the water, others will say it is a hoax.

'It is what it is and I hope to find more proof now and in the future about what the Loch Ness Monster really is.

'Alternatively it simply could be a force of nature or supernatural, whatever people believe in.

'I contribute to the so the paranormal angle is what interests me and on this occasion I have a film unit with me.

'I have contributed to many TV stations including the History Channel and I hope to have something interesting for viewers once I go through all my footage and if they decide to show my material.

'My next project is in Edinburgh where I am going to check out ghostly goings-on in the capital.'

He claims his most frightening experience was when he visited a derelict asylum in Eastern Europe to investigate terrifying screams reported to be emanating from the ruins.

Speaking abut the experience, he said: 'I recorded the sounds and I am convinced I have heard the voice of a Banshee (a spirit normally associated with Irish mythology and regarded as an omen of death).'

Dr Rhines, who died in 2009, also claimed to take this underwater photograph in 1972 during an expedition using sophisticated underwater cameras and sonar equipment

Mr Bright's experience is included in a comprehensive online register of Nessie sightings by Gary Campbell, the man behind the Official Loch Ness Monster Fan Club.

Mr Campbell has recorded 1067 Nessie sightings in 18 years ans his list is available at http://ift.tt/1jczBFF.

He said yesterday: 'Jonathon's photo bears an incredible similarity to Bob Rines series of pictures and will certainly further stimulate discussion about this enduring legend.

'It is of course included in the register which has taken a while to complete but I've had a lot of help from others over the years.'

After seeing 'something strange' in Loch Ness in 1996 and trying to report it to someone, 49-year-old Mr Campbell realised there was no single place recording sightings of the monster.

He added: 'No one had done it since a group called the Loch Ness Investigation Bureau folded in the mid 1970s.

'So my wife and I set up the Official Loch Ness Monster fan Club as a hobby to record what people were seeing every year. This has now evolved into the full online register of sightings.'

The website includes the original Latin transcript of the very first record of a monster almost 1500 years ago.

SOME OF THE MOST FAMOUS 'SIGHTINGS' OF THE LOCH NESS MONSTER

An online register lists 1067 total Nessie sightings. The list was created by Gary Campbell, the man behind the Official Loch Ness Monster Fan Club and is available at http://ift.tt/1jczBFF

Mr Campbell said: 'Jonathon's photo bears an incredible similarity to Bob Rines series of pictures and will certainly further stimulate discussion about this enduring legend.'

Among the most famous claimed sightings is a photograph taken in 1934 by Colonel Robert Kenneth Wilson (below). It was later exposed as a hoax by one of the participants, Chris Spurling, who, on his deathbed, revealed that the pictures were staged.

This famous photograph, produced in 1934, was exposed as a hoax by one of the participants, Chris Spurling, on his deathbed

This famous photograph, produced in 1934, was exposed as a hoax by one of the participants, Chris Spurling, on his deathbed

Another renowned sighting was made in 2001 by semi-retired photographer James Gray and his friend Peter Levings when they were out fishing on the Loch

This blurred picture, said to show the Loch Ness Monster, was taken by Hugh Gray in 1933 and published in the Daily Express

A close-up of what could be the Loch Ness Monster. The photo was taken by William Jobes in 2011