Beached sperm whale in Cleethorpes feared to have died

Distressed mammal was reported at lunchtime on Friday, but marine rescue service arrived too late to save it

A sperm whale is feared to have died after it washed up on the Lincolnshire coast.

British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) was called at about 12.15pm on Good Friday to help with a large stranded whale" on the beach at Cleethorpes. The charity said the whale had been spotted upright in the water" at about midday, but by the time it reached the beach, it was stranded on its side.