COASTGUARDS were called to a beach on Dorset's Jurassic coast after a dead dolphin washed ashore.

Officers were called to East Beach, West Bay on Saturday morning to investigate and record details of a dead dolphin that had been washed up.

"The animal was identified as a young male dolphin rather than a common harbour porpoise, due to its hooked dorsal fin and cone-shaped teeth," a coastguard spokesman said.

"Dolphins, porpoises and whales are all protected under the royal fish laws of the United Kingdom, and HM Coastguard undertakes duties on behalf of the receiver of a wreck to record details of royal fish washed ashore. "Details including full measurements, tooth count, sex, dorsal, pectoral and fluke condition, as well as notable injuries, were all recorded on paperwork which is destined for the Natural History Museum for analysis.

"Onward recovery and disposal was sought by Solent Coastguard via the local authorities."