Medics test whale rescue skills

Rescuers tried to save the bottle-nosed Thames whale in January

Marine medics from across the South East have been testing their emergency treatment skills on a whale, dolphin and seal "stranded" on a Sussex beach.

The exercise on Saturday used inflatable water-filled rubber models.

Members of the London Whale Rescue team and the Maryport Dolphin rescue team were at the British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) exercise.

The BDMLR played a key role in the rescue attempt of a whale stranded in the River Thames in January.

Thirty five people took part in the exercise at Pevensey Bay, East Sussex, which included a morning session on biology and first aid, before the rescue attempt in the afternoon.

Rescue donations

The charity's work received worldwide coverage during the attempt to rescue the Thames whale, earlier this year.

The 19.2ft (5.85m) female northern bottle-nosed whale mistakenly swam into the North Sea and up the Thames, experts said.

They said it may have been trying to head west to the Atlantic Ocean where it could feed on deep sea squid, but made a wrong turning, ending up near Chelsea Bridge in the heart of London.

Without its normal squid diet, it was unable to rehydrate, they said.

After the rescue, the BDMLR received more than £10,000 in donations - the bill for attempting the rescue was about £5,000.