EVERYONE who has watched The Little Mermaid has dreamt of life under the sea - Carla Watkins made it a reality.

Carla, who is a professional photographer by trade, is also setting a trend in a more unusual career as a professional mermaid.

The 31-year-old from Wivenhoe, who goes by the mermaid name Kerenza Sapphire, first launched her Mermaiding UK business in 2016 and has just picked things back up after a short break.

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She appears at parties, hosts hen do's, and has even learnt how to swim like a mermaid - a challenge which takes dedication.

"I was in a city job a few years ago," she said. "I came across another professional mermaid and just had one of those moments where I told myself I had to do it.

"Everyone dreams about mermaids, I told myself it was just a hobby at first."

Her love of fish tails and seashell bras continued to grow, since launching the business she is promoting body positivity and wants women of all shapes and sizes to find their inner mermaid.

She said: "I want to specialise in adults as there is only a small number of professional mermaids. It has just blossomed into a community for me and it's a really nice thing to do.

"It seems like a very silly thing for a grown woman to be doing, but it's lovely to escape from reality."

Becoming a mermaid in the UK is tricky business, and she had to order her mermaid tails from America - but she now has plenty of colourful tails to choose from.

She currently wears tails made of swimsuit material for ease, but is saving up for a silicone tail which looks much more realistic- which will set her back £2,000.

Still, the tail is a vital part perfecting her dolphin kicks in the pool.

She said: "It's not a hugely difficult technique, I was just instantly able to do it but you do have to be quite a strong swimmer.

"It does work your core, it's easy to pick up but it's not for inexperienced or new swimmers."

Her silicone tail will weigh up to 30lbs, and will be a real test of strength.

Being able to swim is just one of the qualities needed to perfect the role of a professional mermaid.

"You need imagination," she said, "and some kind of ability to step into character.

"You need to be confident in your own body, I'm a plus size lady and I'm body positive and we need to get more diversity into the world.

"You also need to be able to answer a lot of blank stares."

Another key element, perhaps most important of all, is a love for glitter - all mermaids love glitter.

To find out more visit http://mermaiding.co.uk.