A WILDLIFE photographer has shared a heartbreaking image of a fish found dead - after apparently choking on a plastic energy drink bottle.

Nature-lover Liz Elmont found the dogfish dead with a plastic wrapper stuck in its mouth.

Liz snapped the photo on Dunster beach in West Somerset and said it represented a much bigger problem.

She said: "As a nature lover and photographer I spend many hours out doors appreciating the beauty around us. To see something so sad makes me livid.

"Just one moment of thoughtlessness on behalf of whoever discarded this wrapper has probably caused the unnecessary and cruel death of a living creature."

"One person carelessly throwing away one wrapper may be a small action in the overall scheme of things but when you add up how many times this could happen over a person's lifetime it's off the scale.

"We need to start caring for our planet before it's too late. We need to teach our children respect for nature to ensure things are better in the future and we can only do that by not being part of the problem ourselves.

"Dispose of your rubbish correctly, think about your actions, stay clear of single use plastics. It's not difficult."