DESPITE the best efforts of the rescue services a stranded dolphin faced a sad end at Berrow Beach near Burnham-on-Sea.

Just after midday on Tuesday, August 9, lifeguards Scott Temple and Luke Penman were alerted to the beached dolphin.

Scott and Luke responded quickly, helping to keep the dolphin breathing and afloat, before the coastguard and Burnham Area Rescue Boat hovercraft arrived.

The rescue services helped carry the animal into deeper water and it was seen to swim away.

However, BARB was called back to nearby Brean beach on Tuesday evening at 9.10pm when a walker reported that the dolphin had again been spotted struggling in the sea.

Five BARB volunteers undertook a lengthy search took place in the darkness to find the dolphin.

Once it was located, extensive efforts were made to save it, however after consultation with a vet and British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR), it was found to be malnourished with several injuries.

A spokesman for BARB said: "Therefore, the very sad and difficult decision was made to put it down. In the early hours of this morning, at 1.30am, the dolphin was put to sleep by a vet."