A dead dolphin has been found on the South Beach in Great Yarmouth.

Great Yarmouth Mercury: The dolphin was found on the South Beach. Picture: Gorleston CoastguardThe dolphin was found on the South Beach. Picture: Gorleston Coastguard (Image: Archant)

Gorleston Coastguard attended the scene at around 9am and identified the deceased creature as a Risso Dolphin.

The coastguard took measurements and recorded details on behalf of the National History Museum (NHM), who compile the information as part of their conservation programme.

The NHM will also determine the cause of death.

The coastguard had received reports yesterday that a pod of dolphins was spotted off the Great Yarmouth coast yesterday.

The public have also been urged to report encounters with dolphins, whales, porpoises and sturgeon to their relevant coastguard.

These species are known as Royal fish and the NHM aims to amass as much information on their populations as possible.