A harbour porpoise was found washed up on a Sheppey beach this afternoon.

The mammal was spotted at around 4pm on Minster beach, opposite The Playa pub.

Thomas Walton from Sheerness was walking his dog along the promenade at The Leas when he spotted the metre-long creature.

The 41-year-old said: “When I first noticed it, it was alive.

“Three ladies were trying to save it and were pushing it out to sea.

“It swam a little bit and then the waves bought it back to shore and it didn’t move at all.

“It had no visible injuries as all.”

Mr Walton said he was shocked to have seen the mammal washed up on the beach, where he regularly walks his pet.

“I love animals,” he said, “and I really wanted to help save it.

“It’s unusual to see one of them washed up on the beach, especially one that was still alive.

“It looked really cute and it had a proper smiley face – poor little thing.”

A spokeswoman for the British Divers Marine Life Rescue confirmed the mammal was a harbour porpoise.

She said: “The Cetacean Strandings Investigation Programme at London Zoo carry out post mortems on most dead cetaceans to establish the cause of stranding.

“If anyone comes across a live stranded animal they should note the place, the state of the tide and any injuries they can see, without getting close and call 01825 765546 during office hours.

“After 5pm on working days, or at weekends or Bank Holidays, they should call our out of hours number on 07787 433412.”