A dead porpoise has been collected from a beach after coastguards received multiple reports about the mammal.

Romney Marsh coastguards said the creature washed up in Dymchurch earlier this week.

A picture of the porpoise was shared by the team, which showed tape had been put around its head.

The callout on Wednesday morning was number 89 of the year for the coastal team, who recorded the information on the porpoise before notifying the council.

“Today we attended to a dead porpoise where multiple people had called our operations room to report a dead fish/porpoise/seal/tuna,” the HM Coastguard Romney Marsh team said.

“We have recorded the relevant information and passed this over to the local council for collection.

“We advise to keep children and pets away from the dead porpoise until it is removed due to unknown diseases.

“In the event of an emergency on the coast, dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard.”

A spokesperson for Folkestone and Hythe District Council confirmed the dead porpoise was reported to the council and has since been removed.