Three dead dolphins have been found by coastguards on a beach in Falmouth this morning (27/1) following reports from members of the public.

Members of the coastguard rescue team were sent to a report of the mammals washed up on Gyllyngvase Beach.

On arrival they searched the beach and found all three dolphins within around 100 meters of each other, in various states.

The team took measurements and photos, which were passed on to the relevant authorities.

A coastguard spokesperson said it was "very unusual to find three within 100 meters of each other."

He added that, looking at the bodies, "it's believed two are likely to have been dead longer."

A spokesperson for the Cornwall Wildlife Trust, whose Marine Strandings Network deals with reports of marine mammals which come ashore around the county, said the toll so far this year was "higher than usual" - currently at 52 for January alone.

They said the group was "sad to see the number of porpoise and dolphins stranding around Cornwall’s coast continue to rise,"and the team was working to monitor strandings," and sends teams to record wherever possible, and to facilitate retrieval for post mortem.

They added: "We are analysing all evidence collected from these animals but as yet there appears to... be no single cause of death."

Beach owner Cornwall Council, which was responsible for disposal of the bodies, said none of the strandings were taken away for investigation, but were instead removed by waste contractors.

A council spokesperson added: "Cornwall Council would recommend that if anyone sees a stranded marine mammal on the beach that they keep themselves and their pets a safe distance from it and report it to the CWT Marine Stranding Network on 0345 201 26 26."