A dead porpoise has washed up at a Kent beach this afternoon.

The carcass came to shore at Littlestone beach in the Romney Marsh and appears to have been attacked.

There is a large hole in its side, with scuff marks on the body and a part of its fin broken off.

Shepway District Council is responsible for removing the carcass from the beach and disposing of it.

Wildlife expert Owen Leyshon has said it is common for them to wash up between Dungeness as far as Folkestone, and that the adults are usually 4ft long.

Mr Leyshon said: "It is difficult from these injuries to work out what was the cause of death.

"At the moment we have around three to six porpoises off Dungeness at the moment, which increases to more than 50 in the spring and through into the early autumn."

More follows.