Beach training for whale rescuers

The volunteers will practise with a two-tonne model whale

Marine mammal medics from around the country practise rescuing model whales on a Devon beach on Sunday.

The mass stranding exercise took place at Dawlish Warren.

Five years ago a young pilot whale was stranded on the Warren. There have been a number of sightings of pilot whales this year but none have come ashore.

It is part of efforts to increase the number of volunteers who can be called on in the event of an animal becoming stranded on the Devon coast.

More than 40 trained volunteers, who are members of the marine animal rescue charity British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR), took part.

A two-tonne rubber pilot whale was placed on the beach by instructors and the volunteers then assessed their condition, provide suitable treatment and attempt to return them back to the sea using specialist equipment.

BDMLR was set up in 1988, and runs a 24-hour rescue service for stranded mammals.

It trains more than 300 marine mammal medics each year.