A dead porpoise washed up on a Hartlepool beach has been causing concern from beachgoers who "had never seen something like that before". 

Denise Cockerill, 60, was walking her niece along Crimdon beach when they spotted what they thought was a log.

As they walked closer they spotted a distinctive fin and realised that it was in fact a porpoise.

The pair were horrified by their discovery and Denise couldn't believe how far above the high tide it had washed up.

The 60-year-old from Peterlee said: "My niece and I went down to Crimdon beach for a walk when we spotted what we thought was a log. 

"As we got closer we could see the fin on top. 

"I was quite shocked to see how far it was out of the water.

"It was really sad. It had an injury on its left side near its gills.

"I wasn't quite sure what could have done that. I don't think it was rocks as it's a very flat beach.

"I reported it and I wanted to make sure that people were aware that this had happened."

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The Environment Agency have also reported the incident to the UK Cetacean Strandings Investigation Programme (CSIP).

They recommend that members of the public who see a porpoise in distress or washed up should call the CSIP hotline 0800 652 0333.

They also recommend not touching the animal.