A ZOOLOGIST who filmed Dave the dolphin with underwater cameras has discovered that the animal is actually female.

David Day, from Exeter, was in Folkestone on Saturday to study and record the solitary dolphin's behaviour. He forwarded his findings to the British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR).

Jason Carter, of BDMLR, who has been keeping an eye on the dolphin's welfare, told the Kentish Express: "Dave is a girl.

"We could now start calling her Davina, but having said Dave for more than a year I think that name will stick and everyone will still refer to the dolphin as a him."

Mr Day said: "It is very friendly and is going very close to humans and boats and befriending people, but this is not unusual behaviour for a dolphin."