A dead porpoise has washed up on a Dorset beach at the weekend.

The porpoise was reported on Cogden Beach near Burton Bradstock to the National Coastwatch lookout at Hive Beach late in the day on Saturday, January 27.

A watchkeeper then located it early Sunday morning and gave its location to the coastguard, in line with accepted practice.

The public is urged not to approach the porpoise due to the risk of disease.

A spokesperson for the National Coastwatch Institution Lyme Regis said: "A very popular sight around Lyme Bay in recent years has been a large pod of dolphins and porpoises. They frequently travel back and forth, quite close to the shoreline around the bay. 

"Very sadly, late on Saturday, January 27 a member of the public reported to the National Coastwatch lookout at Hive Beach, Burton Bradstock that the body of a porpoise had been washed ashore to the east, although no specific location was provided. 

"During the morning shift, the following day, a watchkeeper sought to locate the exact position of the body. After 45 minutes the watchkeeper returned to the lookout with the location and duly reported her findings. The body had been located at Cogden Beach and the ‘What 3 Words’ location had been noted and was provided to Solent Coastguard in line with accepted practice. 

"Members of the public are asked not to approach the porpoise, whilst it might remain on the beach, in case, for any reason, the body might be infected with any disease."

Dolphins, porpoises, and whales are all protected under the Royal Fish Laws of the UK. The coastguard undertakes duties on behalf of the Receiver of a Wreck to record details of Royal Fish washed ashore.

A spokesperson for the Maritime Coastguard Agency said: "We responded to reports of a dead porpoise on Cogden Beach, Burton Bradstock, on Sunday, January 28.

"Alerted at around 12.30pm, West Bay Coastguard Rescue Team was sent to the scene.

"Stranded Cetacean Forms were completed and sent to the relevant authorities."