Dolphins save swimmers from shark

A group of dolphins has come to the rescue of some swimmers who were under attack from a great white shark.

The swimmers were doing lifeguard training at a beach near Whangarei on New Zealand's North Island.

They were being menaced by a 3m great white when the dolphins raced to help. They surrounded them for 40 minutes until they could swim to safety.

Dolphin researchers said they were not surprised because the creatures have a reputation for "helping the helpless".

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One of the lifeguards told how the dolphins herded the swimmers together, then swam in tight circles to form a barrier as the shark lurked beneath the surface.

Scare

The dolphins seemed really disturbed and slapped the water with their tails to scare off the shark.

The swimmers say they have no doubt that the dolphins were trying to protect them.