This is a local story from near where I live. I have trouble believing in it but I wanted to see what your view on it is.
It supposedly happened in 1607.
It was in a place called skiningrove, the locals found a merman floating near the surface when fishing, they caught it, brought it back to the village and fed it fish. The merman also preferred the company of women rather than men. When the vicar or bishop came he tried to talk to it (the merman), it didn't understand, the holy man then began to torture the merman. A few days later the merman escaped and the locals watched it swim away.

If anybody has heard this and I've got the some parts of the story wrong please tell me.
I'll try and find a link to.

This is also from this town,

Villagers prepare to burn mystery sea creature in annual event

A SEA monster will be burned on Skinningrove beach tonight to celebrate bonfire night.

This year's bonfire at the coastal village, near Saltburn, is a large lobster which appears to be emerging from the sea. Thousands of people are expected
to arrive at the village - which has a population of only 400 - to watch the lobster burn.

There will also be a parade at which the village's children will hold lanterns and models made in workshops in the past few weeks.

All the models will fit in with this year's theme of mystery creatures of the sea. There will also be music and other fun activities.

The Skinningrove Bonfire Committee has won an unrivalled reputation across the North-East during the past 20 years for organising some of the most
imaginative bonfires and displays in the region.

Previous bonfires have been made on the themes of Dracula, the circus and the ancient legend of the Merman of Skinningrove.

Every year, artists work with the children, including former Teesside man Richard Baker who travels from Devon to take part. The committee raised about
£6,000 from fundraising activities, councils, the lottery and local companies for the event. The lobster is not as high as previous bonfires but is about 15 yards long.




Link