Leaving the carcass on a Fife beach was considered the least disruptive option - but some locals have complained.

The 9m (30ft) long whale is hoped to have made it back out to sea after getting stuck at Southerness.

Essex Wildlife Hospital says the two pilot whales were part of a pod who had died at a previous stranding.

The tourist who found the whale says he believes it was washed in by the tide.

The pod of 11 whales became trapped on mudflats at low tide in the Swale estuary.

Nine pilot whales had become stranded on mud flats at low tide in the Swale estuary, rescuers say.

The whale, which washed up on Hartlepool's Headland beach, is "too far gone", scientists say.

The British Divers Marine Life Rescue charity issues guidance for what do on finding a beached mammal.