A WHALE has been discovered dead in a Hampshire harbour having been caught on the front of a ship.

The 30 ft creature was dragged in to shore on the bow of a cargo vessel and was discovered in the early hours of this morning floating in Portsmouth Harbour.

Solent Coastguard were called out at around 1am and the mammal, which was dead on arrival, has since been moved for storage at the nearby ferry port.

The Receiver of Wreck at the Maritime and Coastguard Agency is due to discuss the disposal of the whale with the Queen’s Harbour Master.