Marine watch sets record for number of UK sightings

Record numbers of whale and dolphin sightings have been submitted to an annual marine mammal monitoring event.

Every year scientists at the Sea Watch Foundation ask members of the public to contribute to their National Whale and Dolphin Watch.

This year’s event runs until Sunday and has already seen a record number of species spotted across the UK.

Sightings have been from Shetland down to south Devon.

More than 200 sightings have already been reported.

The scheme, in its 17th year, is part of efforts to aid protection and conservation.

Species spotted so far include bottlenose dolphins seen off Chanonry Point in the Moray Firth and in Aberdeen harbour.

White-beaked dolphins have been sighted along the east coast of Scotland and in the northern Hebrides.