Oil-soaked birds have washed up on Kent beaches after a spill at sea.

About 15 were discovered recently along the south coast, with some also found in neighbouring East Sussex.

It is thought that the birds’ plight was caused by a spill off the coast of Hastings.

Two of the birds – thought to be razorbills – were found on beaches in Broadstairs.

The rest of the group is made up of eight guillemots, one Gannett and four other razorbills.

The rescued gulls have all been taken to RSPCA Mallydams where teams are hand-feeding and rehydrating them.

They will begin washing the substance from their feathers with specialist equipment once they’re strong and healthy enough.

Richard Thompson, who is an expert in oiled birds and is leading the efforts at the centre, said: “The birds are now stable and the Mallydams wildlife team are rehydrating the injured birds and supporting them.

“In the next few days, we will wash the substance from the birds using our specialised facility. Once free of contaminants and given a clean bill of health, the birds will be released back into the wild, where they belong.

“We’re lucky to have decades of experience treating oiled birds, as well as specialised equipment to help treat them in a safe way. We’d urge anyone who sees an oiled bird not to attempt to rescue or treat them themselves, but to instead call the RSPCA.”

Rescuers are worried that there could be more suffering animals who have not yet been found.

Mallydams Wood Centre manager, Peter Smith, explained: “We’re very concerned these could be just the first of many birds that will be caught up in the contaminant spill and we’ve made emergency plans to rescue and treat any further birds who need our help.

“At the moment birds are being washed up across East Sussex and Kent and the slick seems to be moving across to the East. It’s incredibly alarming to see how many animals could be impacted by this.”

If contaminants are not removed from waterbirds it reduces the natural waterproofing in their plumage, leaving them at risk of dying from hypothermia.