DAVE the dolphin has now been missing for almost one month.

Dave, who is actually female, has been living off the Kent coast for more than a year and a half and has become a tourist attraction at his favourite spot near a rock groyne in Seabrook.

However, the popular animal hasn’t been seen for four weeks - prompting fears she could be injured or possibly dead.

Just before her disappearance, Dave was treated with antibiotics after half her tail was chopped off by a boat propeller.

Dolphin experts had feared a fatal infection might have set in to the open wound, but Dave appeared to make a full recovery and responded well to the medication.

Jason Carter, of British Divers Marine Life Rescue, who has been looking after Dave, said: "I am concerned. She's never disappeared for this long before.

"We have people patrolling the coast looking out for Dave but there haven't been any sightings.

"However, solitary dolphins have been known to move around a bit and my personal view is that she is okay and will be back."

Dave arrived in Shepway in April 2006. As more people became aware of her she started being harassed by swimmers and others in boats. In October signs were put along the seafront asking locals and tourists to admire Dave from afar and what to do if they saw him being harassed.

They were put up following a campaign in the Folkestone Express.