A massive 16m (50ft) whale has washed up on a British beach.

The fin whale was spotted at first light this morning (Weds) on South Fistral Beach, in Newquay, Cornwall.

Rob Barber, from Newquay Activity Centre, saw the deceased whale while completing a routine ocean conditions check.

Rob, who has been a surfer and ocean user for the last 40 years, said the sighting was "sad" - and the team immediately alerted the relevant agencies."

A marine stranding agency told Rob the whale was spotted swimming yesterday "looking out of sorts"."

Rob said: "Upon getting a bit nearer to the whale, it was measured to be 16 metres long - it's absolutely huge."

"It appeared to be bleeding from near the tail end, but we don't know why it died yet."

"It's so sad to see."

Rob says there has been a notable increase in sightings of these marine mammals around South Fistral beach over the past year and a half.

He added: "Over the last 40 years of being an ocean user, it has never been common until the recent 18 months."

"There has been so many more sightings."

Local agencies are working out what the next step is for the whale - whether it will be left to be naturally taken back into the ocean, or removed.