I’m a real mermaid and I can hold my breath underwater for four minutes

A REAL Princess Ariel who swims with sharks and turtles has learned to hold her breath for four minutes to amaze kids in her mermaid shows.

Naomi Trott, 37, uses a monofin to swim with the sea creatures at nationwide aquariums.

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A strong swimmer since childhood, she still trains five hours a week to stay in shape and catch her breath.

Her personal best is four minutes and seven seconds.

But her greatest joy is seeing the reaction of her young audience.

She said: “It’s amazing to see children’s faces light up when they see a real mermaid.

“Its magical. We have radio contact with the personnel on the other side.

“One said, ‘When you went down there, there was a little girl and she said, ‘Mom, look, there’s a red mermaid just like me.’ I cried, it was just so wonderful.”

Naomi from Bristol has been performing part time since 2019.

She loves swimming with animals but said: “We have to be careful what we wear that there isn’t any glitter or pearls that could harm them.

“We are guests in the animal home, so they take precedence over our clothes.”

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