A DOLPHIN that has been entertaining visitors to Folkestone and Hythe for the past 18 months has been seriously injured.

The bottlenose dolphin, called Dave, is thought to have been hit by a boat propellor, resulting in part of the friendly animal’s tail being chopped off.

It is feared an infection may now set in to the open wound and that this could prove fatal. Marine wildlife experts have said the next few days are crucial and are keeping a close eye on the dolphin’s health.

Jason Carter, of British Divers Marine Life Rescue, said: "We believe Dave was injured on Sunday. A blue and white boat was seen going up and down constantly that day.

"The injury is quite bad and we are concerned about infection setting in. There are viruses in sea water which are of grave concern as it is a deep cut.

"All we can do is keep monitoring Dave and hope for the best, but other dolphins who have suffered similar injuries have died about a week later."

The dolphin has been attracting thousands of visitors to the beach as it swims extremely close to shore. Numerous warnings for people in boats and swimmers not to get too close to the animal have been ignored.

Mr Carter said: "It is a shame some people haven’t listened. We said something like this would happen and now it has."

James Barnett, a BDMLR veterinary consultant, is a leading specialist on dolphins and is on standby to come to Folkestone if Dave’s health deteriorates. Iain Cope, of Burnham House vets in Dover is also keeping a close eye on the dolphin.

In August Dave, whom experts recently discovered was female, suffered cuts to her dorsal fin, which were also believed to have been caused by a propeller from a boat.