Dog walkers were shocked to see a dead dolphin washed up on a beach.

The coastguard was called to a report of a dolphin floating in the water yesterday morning.

It was left on Hastings Beach with tape wrapped around it ready to be collected.

One person said they were “disgusted” because their children saw the carcass.

A coastguard spokesman said: “The team was tasked to a report of a deceased dolphin having washed up on the beach in Hastings.

“The team promptly managed to locate the dolphin, which was sadly deceased and below the high water mark.

“We moved the dolphin above the high water mark to prevent it from floating away.

“We then marked it with coastguard tape so members of the public were aware that we were aware of it and then arranged for the relevant authorities to come and collect and dispose of the carcass, (as it is not the role of HM Coastguard to dispose of deceased animals found on the beach).

“Needless to say, while the relevant authorities are arranging to collect the dolphin, if you have to come across it, please do not touch it or go near to it.”

A Sussex Dolphin Project spokesman said: “We went to inspect this common dolphin on Thursday morning and we have received a number of reports from local residents too. The Cetacean Strandings Investigation Programme are also aware.”