Long have there been legends of mermaids around the coast of Cornwall. Hannah Stacey, a champion British freediver from Cornwall is perhaps the nearest we will get to the real thing.

“Seven years ago I had no idea what freediving was, then my boyfriend found a training course on the internet and we went along. It turned out I was a natural; after the first day I was happily swimming down to 30 meters and holding my breath for over two minutes.”

Since then Hannah went on to set eight UK freediving records and has been a stunt-double in two feature films, the most recent as a mermaid for actress Kelly Brook in Fishtales. 

© Candice Photography

“Once I reach my target depth I stop and take a moment to look around me, surrounded by blue it’s the most unimaginable experience. Then I look upwards towards the surface, I can make out the shadow of the boat, it looks like a small toy floating in the bath. One last moment to myself then it’s time to head back”.