Welsh police warn drivers not to stop to gawk at the "Dragon of Bethesda"

There's a dragon near Bethesda - dubbed "the Dragon of Bethesda" by its creator - and it's causing a bit of bother.

No, not that Bethesda. The Bethesda in Wales, the one on the River Ogwen and the A5 road on the edge of Snowdonia, in Gwynedd.

The Draig Dderw (oak Dragon) stands 6ft tall and 12ft wide, and guards the A5, presumably from misguided Skyrim fans. It's quite the sight - perhaps too good a sight, because motorists are apparently slowing down, or even stopping, to gawk at it.

This obviously causes problems and in this wintery weather is potentially very dangerous indeed, which is why the North Wales Police have issued a formal warning to drivers.

"We, like everyone else love the 'Draig Dderw' (oak Dragon) recently erected in the Bethesda area, however we are concerned at the impact upon road safety as a result of the action of a number of motorists who slow down or in some cases 'stop' to view the Dragon," reads a post on the NWP Facebook page.

"There has already been one accident and numerous near misses on this section of road which really does require a drivers full concentration. Please concentrate on the road ahead at all times, if you want to view it , then please find somewhere safe to park (not on the A5) and walk down on the pavement. Please drive carefully."

The impressively-detailed dragon is located on private land, but you can see it from the road on the way to Bethesda from Tregarth, according to local newspaper The Daily Post.

Draig Dderw was commissioned by GP Dr Alofs and carved by Wrexham-based wood sculptor Simon O'Rourke from the remains of a fallen tree. It took six days to complete, which is longer than it takes to walk back to Whiterun while over-encumbered.

If you fancy a trip to see the Dragon of Bethesda yourself, just remember, don't park on the side of the road, or you might end up in Solitude.