Gravesend is buzzing with visitors who have descended upon the town to try and catch a glimpse of the beluga whale.

The town has seen an increase in visitors since the animal was spotted swimming in the River Thames near Shorne.

The mammal, which is normally found in the Arctic, was first spotted on Tuesday and since then the town has been much busier.

Lizzie Brown, 39, landlady at the Ship and Lobster pub in Mark Lane, close to where the whale was spotted, said she's seen more customers through the door.

She said: "It's has been busier than usual the last couple of days.

“There’s been a lot of journalists, including some from Australian and Canadian media today.

“Some people have just come to the pub for the parking, but most have at least came in to buy a drink or two.

“I haven’t had the chance to go and see the whale because I’ve been working, but my daughter-in-law managed to go out and see it.

“It was spotted again just over an hour ago.”

Gravesend's town centre manager Graham Long tweeted people are welcome to come into town.

He posted: "If you're new to Gravesend today #WhaleWatching you're very welcome.

"I met some folk yesterday from Thetford & Milton Keynes who travelled down to see the #Beluga #ThamesWhale."

The RSPCA says the beluga is stay in the river for a few days as long as there is a food source.

But some whale watchers are now reporting that it may be heading down the Thames towards London.

Conservationists are continuing to monitor the creature amid fears that it could become distressed, but so far Benny, as he has been nick-named, is said to be swimming strongly and feeding well.

Although belugas are social animals and usually travel in a pod with other whales, they sometimes attach themselves to schools of dolphins or porpoises and the whale could have have arrived with porpoises which have also recently been seen in the waters.