PICTURES have emerged of a basking shark washed up on a local beach.

Images from the Largs Coastguard Rescue Team show the animal lying dead on the coast near the A78 Shore Road in Skelmorlie.

The shark was found on January 23 but pictures have only just been released.

It is understood a skin sample was taken and sent to Scottish Marine Animal Stranding Scheme to determine cause of death.

According to charity The Shark Trust, basking sharks are the largest fish in British waters and the second biggest in the world after the whale shark.