A DEAD whale has been seen in the water near Harwich.

Three minke whales have died and another two are in distress off the coast of the UK.

The first sighting of the dead whale, a calf, was spotted on a mudbank in the River Orre, near Felixstowe, on Saturday afternoon.

Officials sealed off an area of Felixstowe Pier in Suffolk after the 30ft whale, thought to be the calf's mother, washed up there.

Another dead adult whale was seen in the water near Harwich.

John Cresswell, from the Felixstowe Volunteer Coast Patrol Rescue Service, said it was normal for porpoises to wash up on the shore, but not whales.

He said: "This is a really sad day, I have worked as a volunteer coast guard for twenty one years now and never seen anything like it.

"These creatures are beautiful and it we need to do something to stop this."

Mr Cresswell, who said two other minke whales are currently in distress, thinks the deaths could be down to wind turbines as whales cannot communicate properly while the turbines are being used.

He said council officials were planning to call in a special company to dispose of the whales, which would include towing the animals out to sea and 'letting nature take it's cause'.

However this caused a stir as there are fears that the carcass could become a hazard to fishermen.