Coastguards were called to a Falmouth beach yesterday to a report of stranded dolphins.

On arrival yesterday morning, Falmouth Coastguard Rescue Team found two dead dolphins on Castle Beach.

Volunteers from the Marine Strandings Network were called and carried out a post-mortem examination.

Coastguards filled out strandings reports forms for the Natural History Museum and left the dolphins to the experts from the Marine Strandings Network.

Dan Jarvis, welfare development and field support officer for British Divers Marine Life Rescue, spoke to the Packet about what members of the public should do if they come across stranded marine animals.

He said that strandings are fairly common around the South West, especially in winter. Animals can often get tangled in fishing nets around the coast and wash up on shore, he added.

"If it's a dead animal, call the Marine Strandings Network [0345 201 2626]. Give them a ring and otherwise don't touch it or move it because they can carry diseases.

"They're mammals so they can pass infections on to us," he said.

Dan also said that people should not allow their dogs to touch dead marine animals on shore as they could also catch diseases from them.

"If it's alive, call us [British Divers Marine Life Rescue - 01825 765 546]. We can provide more advice and get trained people there urgently, get volunteers to the area who can deal with it."