Pictures: Rare dolphin spotted off Norfolk’s coast for the first time in two decades

Common dolphin spotted off the Sheringham coast. (Image: Archant)

The mammal, which was last spotted in Norfolk in 1995, was swimming a mere five metres from the shore.

Many walked nearer to catch a glimpse of the rare sighting which appeared just before noon and stayed for 30 minutes before leaving.

Matt Thompson, 35, from Bishops Stortford, was visiting Norfolk when he spotted the dolphin.

He said: 'I was taking photos of the seagulls on the rocks and spotted what I thought was a bird in the sea which turned out to be the fin.

Common dolphin spotted off the Sheringham coast. (Image: Archant)

'It was swimming very close to the shore and those in kayaks went close by to it.

'I was very excited when I saw it, such an unexpected thing to see.'

Carl Chapman, Norfolk Cetacean Recorder, confirmed the sighting of a common dolphin.

He said: 'They are very rare to see in our waters, this is only the 11th sighting for Norfolk for centuries.'

Common dolphin spotted off the Sheringham coast. (Image: Archant)

The dolphins normally swim off the coast of Cornwall and West Scotland and it is unclear why it ventured so far east.