Visitors who braved the rain at the seaside today were treated to the sight of three dolphins.

The trio, which appear from a distance to be common dolphins, were spotted close to the Folkestone Harbour Arm.

Emilia Threadgill, from Maidstone, was walking on the quayside with her mother and her dog, Barney, when they saw them in the water.

They were soon joined by other onlookers who stopped to take in the show.

“It was amazing,” the 23-year-old nursery worker said.

“We were just walking along the harbour arm by the lighthouse at the end, just watching the sea, and all of a sudden saw a dolphin.

“It was very exciting. It was quite emotional as well. They stayed for quite a while, probably about 20 minutes.”

Common dolphins can be found in waters all around the UK, but are more common to the southern and western coastal areas.

They can grow to more than two-and-a-half metres in length, weigh as much as 150kg and live up to 35 years.

Folkestone Harbour Arm appears to be a hotspot for dolphin spotting.

Last April, one was seen swimming close to the harbour.