The body of a new-born baby porpoise has been found washed up on the beach at Felixstowe Ferry.

It was less than a metre long and appeared to have been placed on a groin on the beach. It was found by well-known local rower Terry Davey who was walking in the area on Tuesday morning.

Mr Davey, the founder of the Deben Rowing Club, said there had been a family of porpoises seen in the mouth of the river over recent days – but the creatures were not as common as they had been in the past.

He said: “The animal was perfect and unmarked with no obvious injury. Nearby on the tide line was a half inflated party balloon with plastic strings that may have been entangled.

“The balloon may not have been involved but people who let these things fly away should be aware of the possible consequence for our fellow creatures.”