TRACES of an unknown lifeform have been found in rocks in a secret location in Torbay.

The animal which made these large burrows through sediment at the bottom of desert wadis some 260million years ago could be unknown to science.

Scientists from around the world will be informed of the mystery when the findings are officially published later this year.

The discovery, and the publicity that goes with it, could be a huge boost for the English Riviera Geopark organisation.

It comes as nine more Torbay sites have been officially recognised as of national and international importance geologically.

Geologist Kevin Page, from Plymouth University, chairman of the Devon Regionally Important Geological Sites Group, said they had been unable to find any known animal, alive or extinct, that would have been responsible for the kind of burrows found in the deposits in Torbay.

"If it was something like a worm, it was a very big worm. It was older than dinosaurs. It would have been active in the sediment of water holes at the foot of limestone mountains.

"It must have been some strange creature, possibly burrowing around in the cool of the water during the day and possibly coming out to feed at night in the desert.

"We have evidence of some giant millipedes in the Bay, but this is something different. It could be a completely new species," he told members of the English Riviera Geopark Organisation.

"Some of the burrows are two foot long while others are nest shaped."

Further surveys and research will be carried out before the findings are published in a scientific journal later this year. Until that work is completed, the site location will be kept a secret to protect it.

The nine new geologically important sites are Hope's Nose, Churston Cove/Churston Point, Blackhead/Anstey's Cove, Barton Quarry, Hollicombe Head/Corbyn Head, Brixham Cavern, Sharkham Point to Berry Head, Petit Tor/Maidencombe, Crystal Cove at Goodrington.

This will bring the Bay extra publicity as the sites will be flagged up with schools for potential site visits as well as with universities, amateur geologists and researchers.

Mr Page said the rating meant that virtually all of Torbay's coast is now recognised regionally, nationally and internationally for the quality of its geology.

WHEN Torbay was south of the Equator millions of years ago, warm tropical seas teemed with creatures which are now extinct, and massive corals grew.

The shells and skeletons of this tropical life formed layer upon layer, to eventually create hard limestone. Today these hard rocks form the two arms of Tor Bay — Berry Head to the south and Hope's Nose to the north.