Storms leave 50ft whale on beach

It is not known how the whale died

A 50ft (15m) whale has been washed up on a south Devon beach.

It was discovered at St Mary Bay, near Brixham, on Friday night and is believed to be a fin whale - the second largest mammal on the planet.

The whale is thought to have been washed ashore after the recent storms which battered much of the South West this week.

Coastguards are warning people who spot it not to approach it because of any disease it may carry.

There is no indication as to how it died. For the moment, the creature will stay on the beach until a decision is taken to bury it or take it back out to sea.