A second dead whale has washed up on a British beach - days after experts said a first one was too decomposed to move.

The first whale, which is believed to be a minke or fin, was found on Headland Beach, Hartlepool, last Sunday (22/9).

Public health experts warned people to stay away from the scene because the whale was too decomposed to be taken away.

On Saturday (28/9), a second dead whale was found by a walker on the same stretch of beach.

The member of the public who found the second whale said it was "sad" and he was "shocked" that another one had washed up.

He said: "I was shocked, I said to myself no it can't be right.

"It is very sad to see a second whale washed up

"There are a lot of people around the beach coming to see the whales."

Hartlepool Borough Council say they are working to keep the area safe.

A spokesperson said: “The council has been working with a number of partner organisations over the last few days to secure the safe removal of the dead whale from a beach on the Headland.

"Due to the sheer size of the whale and its location, this will be a complex operation that requires a specialist company.

"This is likely to take a number of days and in the meantime, we would ask that people stay away from the whale’s body.”