Experts remove whale carcass

The whale weighs more than 30 tonnes Click here for more pictures

Work has been carried out to move the body of a 60ft whale washed up on mudflats in south Wales.

The 30-tonne fin whale - the second largest animal in the world, after the blue whale - was being cut up so that it could be taken away and incinerated.

Newport Council began work at 0600 BST at St Brides, West Usk.

Hundreds of people have come to see the animal since it washed up on Thursday.

Police urged sightseers to stay away as traffic jams formed in the tiny hamlet.

Coastguards spent the night on the beach to prevent people getting too close.

There were concerns after children were seen swimming out to the mammal and jumping off its body.

Sophia Exelby, Receiver of Wreck - the official responsible for disposing with washed-up items - has been working with Newport Council to decide how best to dispose of the whale.

Officials have warned of a possible health risk because of an open wound on the whale's body.

Fin whales are classed as an endangered species. They can weigh up to 80 tonnes and grow up to 26m long.