A beaver discovered scampering around on a Kent beach triggered a rescue operation following welfare concerns.

A resident sounded the alarm after spotting the large fresh-water rodent this morning far from its natural habitat in Sandwich Bay.

The semi-aquatic dam-builders live in rivers, streams and lochs, whereby overexposure to saltwater can swiftly prove fatal – an event known as beaver beach strandings.

Lindsey Gray, of Sandwich, shot footage of the animal while en route to buy eggs and alerted the authorities.

“I’d got about 100 yards along the bay and as I drove past it, I used to live in America and I thought it was a woodchuck. But then I thought it wasn’t because I’m not in America any more,” she said.

“I then realised it was a beaver – I really didn’t know what to do.

“I knew he shouldn’t be there and I was desperately trying to think of what to do so I called the British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR).

“I kept an eye on him for an hour until they turned up.”

The 57-year-old added she was concerned over the beaver’s behaviour and it potentially entering saltwater.

“The beaver wasn’t perturbed by my two dogs in the car,” she said.

“They weren’t barking but I’m sure he could have smelt them. It came right up to the car twice.

“The person who I called at the BDMLR said if they ingest too much saltwater, they can die.”

Having grown an affinity towards the animal – which she nicknamed Justin after uploading footage to Facebook – she left the scene when BDMLR crews arrived.

Workers from the agency could be seen patiently waiting to safely trap the animal once it fell asleep.

Ms Gray added :“I posted a video on Facebook and someone called him Justin so I’ve nicknamed him that now.

“He came up to the water as if he knew he had to swim home but he also knew that he shouldn’t get into the water because it could kill him.”

The animal has been rescued and is going to Wildwood.

In the morning staff there will review the situation. The beaver might go to the RSPCA for further care.