This poor porpoise was saved yesterday when a concerned beach-goer rushed to its rescue.

Battered and bruised, the stricken mammal had suffered cut wounds and couldn't get back into the sea.

Richard Morgan, whose house overlooks Reeves Beach, Whitstable, spotted the beast around 1.30pm.

He rushed to help and desperately tried to carry the 3ft porpoise to the water's edge.

But the distressed porpoise couldn't swim away so Mr Morgan, 48, grabbed a towel to keep him moist and called the RSPCA.

The father-of-three said: "I must have been alone with him for around half an hour, and it was a very humbling and a once in a life time experience. His fate was in my hands.

"Both myself and the RSPCA officer were very concerned that if we couldn't get him back in to the water soon he would die, he was shaking and didn't look good.

"We tried again to get him to float and it was a bit touch and go.

"After a while of being held in the water he did eventually perk up, and swam around in three circles before then heading off into the water.

"I have never seen anything like it or been that close to a porpoise. I just hope he is alright now."