A huge whale has been spotted washed up on a Co Down beach.
The eight metre minke whale was found at around 11am on Monday September 9 by Newcastle Coastguard on Tyrella Beach.
A spokesperson said: "Newcastle Coastguard were paged to locate a minke whale in the Tyrella Beach area which had been washed in by the morning tide.
"After searching along the coastline we located the whale and awaited the arrival of NEA who took samples and measurements etc.
"The team were stood down and returned to station while Belfast CGOC co ordinated the incident."
A spokesperson for the coastguard told Belfast Live that they advise locals to 'stay clear.'
He said: "I would really advise members of the public not to come down to the scene.
"Officials are now working towards the removal of the whale from Tyrella Beach but it is not yet known how this whale died or if it has any diseases.
"It could be harmful to other animals, we are unsure at this stage, but we would just ask people to stay clear."
