A young porpoise has died after being washed up and stranded on Cromer beach.The porpoise, found yesterday afternoon, was put down humanely by animal welfare experts after a lengthy struggle to keep it alive.

A young porpoise has died after being washed up and stranded on Cromer beach.

The porpoise, found yesterday afternoon, was put down humanely by animal welfare experts after a lengthy struggle to keep it alive.

Another older, female porpoise was reportedly discovered dead on the beach along the coast at Hunstanton two days ago and is thought to have been the youngster's mother.

Bev Cosse from the Seal and Bird Rescue Trust at Ridlington, one of several agencies involved in the attempted rescue at Cromer, said the decision had to be made to put the porpoise down for humane reasons.

“It is a desperately sad situation, but it would have needed to suckle its mother and that was obviously impossible.

“All the organisations involved did a tremendous job, as did the chap who found it.

“But the right decision was made.”

The young creature was spotted in the surf at 1.30pm on Friday by a passer-by who then spent several hours standing in the freezing cold water trying to keep it alive.

It was washed up opposite the resort's Henry Blogg lifeboat museum.