Whale washes ashore on Norfolk beach
Visitors to the beach are warned to keep away from the whale's body and keep dogs on leads.
Friday 21 October 2016 21:26, UK
A 40ft fin whale has washed up on a beach in Norfolk.
The huge mammal was already dead when it reached Holkham beach on Thursday afternoon.
It is the latest in a spate of whale strandings this year along the region's coastline, with dozens of others washing up in other parts of the North Sea.
Last month a 50ft sperm whale was discovered dead in Red Rock beach, South Devon.
The beauty spot remained open on Thursday, but visitors are being warned to keep away from the whale's remains, which will stay on the beach overnight.
The Cetacean Strandings Investigation Programme, which examines all whale, dolphin and porpoise strandings in the UK, will carry out a post-mortem on the whale.
A spokeswoman for the Holkham Estate said: "On Thursday afternoon, a dead 40ft fin whale was washed up on Holkham Beach, part of Holkham National Nature Reserve, on the north Norfolk coast.
"Plans are in place to remove the whale from the beach.
"Holkham Beach remains open but we advise the public not to venture close to the carcass and to keep dogs on leads."