Whale found washed up on island

The creature was spotted in the Solent on Friday

The body of a 35ft (10.7m) injured whale has been found washed up near the Isle of Wight.

The creature, which had visible wounds, was found on a sandbank between Seagrove Bay and Bembridge, Solent Coastguard said.

A spokeswoman for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) said the whale had been towed into Spring Vale and would be removed by contractors.

She said it is possibly a fin whale and the MCA may investigate how it died.

Wounds are visible on the body of the whale

A fisherman first spotted the body floating near the Nab Tower in the Solent on Friday.

The MCA spokeswoman said the body would be disposed of by the Receiver of the Wreck, who is called in when "royal fish" such as whales, porpoises or dolphins are found washed up, along with the Isle of Wight Council.

She said: "We suspect it is a fin whale. Sometimes they do have a look to see how they died."

"This carcass gives off an extremely unpleasant odour and should be avoided."