Whale, dolphin and porpoise strandings in the UK have more than doubled in the last ten years, according to figures out today

Last year a 60ft fin whale was beached at St Brides, Newport, and thousands flocked to see the giant creature.

Experts at the time told the Argus "noise pollution" was to blame for whales losing their way.

They said a constant increase in noise disruption made it difficult for whales to find their way through the sea.

The new statistics, contained in a Natural History Museum report "Out of the Blue", highlight the top ten sites or hotspots where strandings consistently occur.

It also calls for individuals to monitor key coastal areas to help understanding of the devastation happening in UK waters.

Strandings have increased from 360 in 1994 to 782 in 2004, a rise of 422 marine animals.

The last five years in particular, have shown a dramatic increase in the number of strandings, mainly due to winter strandings of short-beaked common dolphins and harbour porpoises in southwest England.

Cornwall has by far the highest number of reported strandings year on year for England and for the whole of the UK.

The Outer Hebrides has the highest number for Scotland and in Wales, Gwynedd has the most strandings.

The reasons for the strandings include sickness, disorientation, natural mortality, extreme weather conditions or injury.