A rescue operation was sparked after a poorly beaver washed up on a Kent beach.

At midday yesterday local wildlife expert Nik Mitchell was called after a friend spotted the animal from a cliff at Pegwell Bay in Ramsgate.

The 40-year-old, who is a member of Wildlife Conservation in Thanet, sprung into action and headed down to the beach.

He told KentOnline: "It was a young adult and was alive, but very docile.

"It didn’t look good.

"I didn’t go and interfere with it too much, but I notified the Wildwood Trust.

"They came and took it to the vets at about 1.30pm.

"They are in charge of the reintroduction of them and I knew they had been trying to catch this same beaver two weeks ago at Pegwell Nature Reserve."

Despite the team's best efforts, the beaver's condition did not improve, and it was put to sleep by a vet.

Mr Mitchell, an electrician by trade, added: "They’ve reintroduced them into the River Stour.

"This isn’t the first time this has happened; they get lost and find themselves in the sea.

"Then, the salt water really affects them - it causes organ failure in no time.

"It won’t be the last time it happens, unfortunately."

Beavers were first re-introduced to the county in 2003 at Ham Fen nature reserve in Deal.

Now, there are three beaver families residing at the site.

"It’s very important that people know about beavers in the area," Mr Mitchell continued.

"They had not been seen for 400 years, so for them to be here in our lifetime is something to be excited about."