A 12ft whale has washed up off the Kent coast.

The mammal was found dead along the River Marshes at Stangate Creek, off Chetney Marshes near Sittingbourne.

HM Coastguard was made aware of the carcass on Friday.

A spokesman said: "The coastguard was notified at 4.15pm on January 6.

"Since then the Coastguard Rescue Team from Sheppey has been dealing with the incident."

Volunteers from the Island attended on Saturday.

Findings of all whales, dolphins, porpoises and some fish must be reported to HM Coastguard, whether they are dead or alive, as they are classed as 'royal fish'.

A spokesman for Sheppey Coastguard Team said: "After the animals are reported we will then get help if they are alive.

"But, if they are sadly dead we fill out a form that needs measurements and particular information which is then sent on to the Natural History Museum.

"They then can come and see it if they wish to get more information."

HM Coastguard has been asked for further details and updates.

The animal's discovery comes two years after a sperm whale died after becoming stranded in the Thames estuary.

The whale carcass was seen just off of the Sheppey shoreline, near Fowley Island in The Swale, between Elmley and Harty.

A sei whale, an endangered species, was also found dead in Kent in recent years.

The animal was found floating in the Thames off Gravesend in 2019.

But it isn't all bad news for marine mammals visiting the county's waterways.

In September 2018 Benny the Beluga hit the headlines with his unexpected visit.

He is believed to have headed home in May 2019 headed home in May 2019 after his presence sparked a surge in visitors to the area.

It is not yet known what type of whale the latest discovery was, or the circumstances of its death.