WITCHES, fairies, mermaids and even a dragon are just some of the mythical creatures rumoured to have lived in Hampshire.

Britain is rich with a number myths and legends from the Beast of Bodmin and St George and the dragon to the Loch Ness Monster and The Ghost of The Grey Lady.

But many don't know of the many tales of their own county.

From the Mermaid of Nately Scures to the Bisterne dragon, here are four folklore, fables and tales from Hampshire.

Bisterne Dragon

The Bisterne Dragon is a New Forest legend which takes place in Bisterne, Burley and Lyndhurst.

Legend has it that the dragon had a den at Burley Beacon, and would fly every morning to Bisterne to be supplied with milk.

In a valiant bid to slay the beast, a knight - who is usually named a Berkeley - built a hide out where he lay in wait with two dogs.

When the dragon flew down to collect his morning milk, the knight opened the hide door and took the beast by surprise.

A popular telling story tells of a ferocious fight that tore though the Forest with the dragon finally dying outside the village of Lyndhurst, his corpse turning into a hill - Boltons Bench.

The knight was mentally broke following the battle and it is said that after 30 days and 30 nights he returned to the hill where he died alone atop it.

His yew-wood bow fell to the ground beside him and sprouted into the yew tree we see today.

The Witches of Burley

Another New Forest tale takes us to the quaint village of Burley where is is said witchcraft played a huge role.

During the 1950s, a famous white witch Sybil Leek lived in the village and it was reported she was often see walking around in long black cloak with a jackdaw atop her shoulder.

Cold Pixies Cave

If witches and dragons weren't enough for you, then here is some New Forest Pixie folklaw.

A barrow known most often today as Cold Pixies Cave is suggested to have been named after Colt Pixies.

A Colt Pixie is said to take the form of a horse and lead the other horses into bogs and other trouble.

The Mermaid of Nately Scures

The church at Natley Scures in Basingstoke is home to an unusual carving of a mermaid.

Legend has it that a young sailor had an affair with a mermaid and then left her to return home.

Once home, he fell in love with a lady from Natley Scures and was due to marry her.

As reported on www.hampshire-history.com, when up the River Thames and thence the Loddon and the Lyde arrived at the church and stole him away on her back.

The mermaid was carved as a warning to young men who might toy with a ladies heart.