A DEAD seal was found washed up on the beach in Thurlestone on Tuesday night.

The seal, possibly either a common seal or a gray seal, was spotted washed up on Leas Foot Beach in Thurlestone.

Lindy Hingley of Brixham Seawatch was notified, as were the Natural History Museum and the Zoological Society of London, who are interested in any strandings of cetaceans [whales and dolphins], seals and turtles.

They will investigate the deaths in order to build up a picture of strandings, which helps understand the movement of and risks to these animals.

If you find a stranded marine mammal or turtle on the beach, contact Lindy on 07712 587799.