IT is not a scene reminiscent of 1975 killer-shark blockbuster Jaws – but the sight of up to 50 smooth-hound sharks at a Sussex nature reserve still proved a sight to behold.

The creatures swam into the shallow intertidal waters at RSPB Medmerry, near Selsey, Chichester, on a rising tide on Wednesday morning.

Measuring up to five feet in length, with their triangular fins sticking out of the water, the sharks would have no doubt proved a deterrent for anyone thinking of taking a dip.

RSPB warden Peter Hughes captured the spectacle on video. He said: “It was astonishing. There were just these huge fish everywhere in knee-deep water. We knew in time that Medmerry was going to be a great place for wildlife, but I don’t think anyone expected this.

“We assume they were coming in to feed on the crabs and other marine life that have made their home at Medmerry."

Smooth-hounds are a relatively common native shark species around British coastal waters, although they are rarely seen. They are known to feed largely on crabs and other invertebrates, and often travel in groups.

According to the International Shark Attack File, there have been no reported attacks on humans by smooth-hounds and they are considered harmless.

It is not the first time sharks have been spotted at Medmerry. Up to two smooth-hounds were seen there in mid-June, while six were seen in nearby RSPB Pagham Harbour around the same time.

Mr Hughes said: “We do not know if the spectacle is going to repeat itself.

"Those wanting to look for the sharks can view from the new footpaths around the perimeter of Medmerry. Anyone new to the area should pick up a trail map and get advice from the RSPB Pagham Harbour visitor centre at Sidlesham.”

Medmerry is the largest open-coast managed realignment scheme ever in the UK and was created by the Environment Agency between 2011 and 2013.

The project, which was designed to protect more than 350 homes in Selsey from coastal flooding, also allowed the creation of large areas of new, sheltered intertidal waters to compensate for the loss of protected wildlife habitats in the Solent.