Sad end for 26ft minke whale stranded on North Sea beach

The 26ft minke whale was put down after it stranded on Druridge Bay, Northumberland. Credit: PA Wire

A 26ft (8m) minke whale has been put down after it stranded on a North Sea beach because specialists decided the animal was "too thin" to be returned to the sea.

Experts from the British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDLMR) charity and a vet went to its aid when it was found in Druridge Bay, Northumberland, at around 7am.

BDMLR operations director Stephen Marsh said that they would not attempt to refloat the whale.

Speaking from the charity's headquarters in Uckfield, East Sussex, he said:

Experts decided the animal was "too thin" to be returned to the sea. Credit: PA Wire

Veterinary surgeon Sam Prescott said he had not encountered a minke whale stranding in the area before and it is not yet known what caused it.