The “spectacular” moment porpoises were seen swimming off the Kent coast has been caught on camera.

The creatures were spotted weaving in and out of the water along Folkestone’s Harbour Arm just before 12pm today.

Resident Alex Franks managed to capture videos of the three mammals from near the lighthouse.

The 20-year-old said: “It was surreal, I’ve seen them in aquariums before but to see them roaming free was spectacular.

“They looked to be a family unit as I saw two swimming alongside each other.

“I spotted them first about 11:55am and they looked to swim a bit further out about 1:30pm.

“They stuck around for a good hour and a half, I think there's schools of mackerel for them to eat.”

The mammals have been spotted a number of times in Folkestone over the past few days.

They are typically found in shallow, inshore waters and are common in the UK.

They are often mistaken for dolphins, but according to National Ocean Service, dolphins have longer noses, bigger mouths, more curved dorsal fins, and longer, leaner bodies than porpoises.

The species grows to around five to six feet in length and eat small fish and crustaceans.