Oil, tar and dead seabirds have been reported as washing up on part of Kent’s coastline.

It is affecting the shoreline primarily between Kingsdown, near Deal, and Sandwich at the Stour Estuary.

Council chiefs at Dover District Council confirmed an “urgent clean-up” was being organised as a probe is launched into the cause of the incident.

HM Coastguard has surveyed the area by aircraft, with additional assistance offered by Coastguard rescue teams from Deal, Langdon, Battery and Margate.

In a statement, the council said: “We are aware of small deposits of oil and tar located along the district’s coastline.

“An urgent clean-up is being organised but, in the meantime, please keep children and pets away from the oil and any dead animals. We ask that dogs be kept on leads on the stretch of affected coast.

“If you see more substantial deposits of oil or larger dead animals, such as seals, please contact us on 01304 821199 with a brief description and the location.”