THE BODIES of two porpoises that were found dead on a beach in Old Colwyn were "most likely" a mother and her calf.

The two porpoises were found by members of the public, who had reportedly pulled them out of a fishing net on the shore.

Despite medics attending, there was nothing they could do with the animals already deceased.

A post-mortem examination is to be carried out "in the coming days", which will confirm the cause of death.

A spokesperson for British Divers Marine Life Rescue said: "On Monday 19 August we received several calls stating two dead porpoises had been removed from a large net on the beach at Colwyn Bay (Wales).

"A medic attended and confirmed the two porpoises were in fact deceased, with the net nearby.

"The Marine Environmental Monitoring team will be retrieving the animals.

"Please note, we cannot confirm the porpoises were in fact in the net.

"The blood from the eye of the larger animal appears to be scavenger damage."

A spokesperson for Marine Environmental Monitoring said: "Unfortunately, members of public had removed the animals from the netting before we could get anyone there, which makes it more difficult to confirm if the animals had died in the netting or had died then washed into the netting.

"The two porpoises are one adult female (1.53m) and a juvenile male (93cm).

"Most likely mother and calf. Both hadn’t been dead long and was showing injuries caused by the netting.

"We will be carrying out a post-mortem examination in the coming days to confirm what was the cause of death."

"We would like to thank Lizzi from the BDMLR for getting there so quickly to assess if there was anything that could be done to help the two porpoises.

"Charlie for his help in getting the two porpoises too us, and all the members of public that helped to remove the netting to make it safe."