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Fight to save Lizzy the 'logness monster' from sea

Mike Pugh Lizzy the lizard, actually a piece of driftwood, washed up on a beach in PorthcawlMike Pugh
Lizzy the lizard may be just a huge hunk of driftwood, but has been taken to heart in Porthcawl

It's a mighty beast with spiked back, forked tongue and unwavering stare who swept in from the sea.

But even though Lizzy is little more than a long hunk of driftwood who looks like a lizard, it has captured hearts in the resort of Porthcawl.

Now a campaign has been launched to save this "logness monster" by local people who fear it could be swept back out from its seafront perch in the Bridgend county town.

“Everyone in the area seems to love Lizzy and I think it would be lovely to see it kept in the town as opposed to letting it drift out back out to sea," said Gemma Lewis, owner of the town's Pantri Box shop.

Margaret Kendrick Lizzy the lizard, actually a piece of driftwood, washed up on a beach in PorthcawlMargaret Kendrick
This was how Lizzy looked before the makeover, after sweeping into town

“It’s been a very popular thing for people to come and visit here since it first arrived and we’ve been down to see it a few times.

“It would be great if we could get it moved and placed somewhere else in the town, and potentially even have it treated so that it can be preserved," she said.

Since arriving after a storm earlier this year, spikes have been put on Lizzy's back, as well as a forked tongue and eyes, and a name sign too.

Lizzy is such a feature that the local tourism office, Visit Porthcawl, is able to tell us that it is 9.38m (30ft 9in) long and 2.46m (8ft 1in) tall.

Town councillor Mario Jones said Lizzy had become a mascot for Porthcawl, which is one of south Wales' best known seaside resorts, and more widely known for its annual Elvis Presley festival.

"Perhaps it could be placed somewhere like one of the grass verges on the seafront, but it would have to happen soon before the tides take it away," he said.

Dozens of people on social media have backed the idea of moving Lizzy to a safer spot.

But for the moment at least it looks as if Lizzy is staying put.

A Bridgend council spokesman said: “There are no current plans to remove or relocate the large piece of driftwood that washed ashore at Town Beach some months ago, and which has since drawn interest from visitors.

“Nature brought Lizzy to Porthcawl, and we will let nature decide when it is time for Lizzy to move on.”