A BABY porpoise has washed up the River Usk by Newport's Transporter bridge.

The mammal, which is a smaller version of a dolphin, was found dead by volunteers at the visitor centre.

Volunteer Terry Mercy said: "It is so sad, it looks like a baby. 

"It was washed up this morning on the high tide, it was not here last night."

Mr Mercy said they aren't sure what they will be doing with it, but that he was planning on ringing the council.

"The fin has been chewed, I wonder whether this has had something to do with his death," he said.

Mr Mercy said they sometimes see porpoises jumping out of the water.

A spokesman for Chepstow Coastguard said they were alerted to this case and have investigated.

As the porpoise is a royal fish and as such is the property of the crown, they have passed on this information to the Receiver of Wreck who will make a decision on the disposal of the purpoise.

The spokesman added that anyone who comes across a porpoise who is in distress or dead should contact 999 and ask for the coastguard.