The Falmouth lifeboat crew has helped to save seven dolphins after a pod became stranded up a creek off the River Fal.

Tragically around 20 of the animals had already died after being stranded up Porth Creek on the Percuil River near St Mawes this morning.

The volunteer lifeboat crew helped the survivors to open water during the morning. The others were assisted once marine experts arrived on scene.

The Falmouth RNLI Atlantic 75 inshore lifeboat was called to the scene and the volunteer crew was shocked to find the large number of dolphins had died. Others were struggling in the shallows or on the water's edge.

Dave Nicoll, RNLI helmsman, said he and his two volunteer crew did their best to help the stranded dolphins: "We managed to encourage some away from the shallows and out into deeper water," he said. "All the time we were concerned for a pod that had gathered near the creek, as we didn't want them getting stranded too.

"We think they had been attracted to the area by the distress calls from those that were already stuck. Unfortunately when the British Divers Marine Life Rescue and a vet arrived, one of the three stranded dolphins had to be put down. The other two were then put into stretchers and slowly taken out of the creek towards deeper water."

"As the procession of boats made their way down river, we were followed by a pod of about 60 dolphins, it was extraordinary to see. I was very relieved when the two swam away to the others."

"I can't say I've seen such a terrible scene as that which confronted us when we first arrived in the creek with the lifeboat this morning. It was horrific, but my two volunteer colleagues, Tom Bird and Joe Sabien were brilliant. They very carefully got into the water to assist the dolphins that were still alive and the results were successful. RNLI crew training is extremely thorough, but this took all our skills and more besides. We are only glad we were able to help."