A marine creature was discovered deceased at a coastal location in Sussex last weekend.

Emergency services responded to reports of the animal at Hove Lawns on the morning of Sunday, 30 August.

Shoreham Coastguard Rescue Team members received notification and proceeded to the seafront area.

Local authorities were subsequently informed to handle the removal of the remains.

Images of the creature were circulated online, showing it resting on stones close to the shoreline.

Social media users also posted their own photographs and conveyed their sadness at the sighting.

Such incidents involving whales, dolphins and porpoises fall under the monitoring of the UK Cetacean Strandings Investigation Programme, which documents cases and may conduct post-mortem examinations to establish causes of death.

Official recommendations state that members of the public who encounter a deceased whale, dolphin or porpoise along English or Welsh coasts should use the dedicated reporting line at 0800 652 0333.

Callers should provide details of the precise location, discovery date, species identification where possible and submit imagery of the animal.

Individuals discovering a live cetacean or those uncertain whether an animal remains alive should contact British Divers Marine Life Rescue or the RSPCA without attempting to return it to the water.

Trained personnel are equipped to handle such situations safely.

The public is warned against approaching or making physical contact with any stranded marine mammal due to potential risks of injury or infection.

Dogs must be kept at a safe distance.

Those handling such animals should wear protective gloves, and anyone with open wounds or skin abrasions should avoid any contact whatsoever.