IS there a crocodile in the River Lea? Do we have our very own Lea Monster?

There are rumours that one of nature's most prolific reptile could be hiding and hunting there.

And looking at the evidence, this seemingly improbable occurrance may not be completely out of the question.

Speculation started after ecologist Annie Chipchase and other Lea Rivers Trust staff were out on the Old River Lea alongside Hackney Marshes, near the Lea Interchange in Leyton.

They saw a Canada goose suddenly dragged backwards through the water and vanish beneath the surface without a trace.

It did not even have the chance to dive and did not reappear.

When the group took a closer look, several large holes were found burrowed into the river bank.

Otters were dismissed as a possible explanation be-cause they don't inhabit the local area and don't normally attack geese.

Opinions were sought and the conclusion was that the holes may have been made by crocodiles.

The Guardian decided to examine the evidence and paid a visit to the River Lea.

We didn't find any trace of a crocodile but we contacted reptile expert and TV star Mark O'Shea to get his opinion.

Mr O'Shea said it was highly unlikely that a crocodile was living in the river but he did come up with a number of other options including a spectacled Caiman, which is part of the alligator family.

He said that, although it was illegal to keep them as pets in the country, some people have them and it is possible that someone could have introduced it to the river or nearby waterway.

But he added that these types of Caiman only grow to three or four feet long, and it would not be big or strong enough to pull a large bird like a Canada goose underwater.

He said: "It is more likely to be a large pike than a crocodile or a Caiman.

"I don't believe it could be a croc but a five or six feet long pike might be able to get a Canada goose."

Ian Kendall, country parks manager for the Lee Valley Park Authority which looks after sections of the River Lea, said he thought it was more likely to be a large pike and the holes in the bank could have been made by Chinese mitten crabs.

He said if there was a crocodile or Caiman in the river it would have been seen by now.

Have you seen anything strange on the River Lea? If so, contact Naomi Wright on 8498 3434.