Stranded River Thames whale 'evoked huge public response'

Almost 10 years ago an 18ft northern bottlenose whale captivated the nation when it swam up the River Thames.

Thousands of people lined the banks of the Thames to watch rescuers try in vain to save the mammal on 21 January 2006.

It was the first time the species of whale had been sighted in the river since records began in 1913.

Rob Deaville, of the Zoological Society of London, worked alongside East Sussex-based British Divers Marine Life Rescue as part of the team that provided veterinary care for the animal.

He spoke to BBC Inside Out's Natalie Graham ahead of the anniversary of the stranding.

Inside Out South East is on BBC One on Wednesday, 13 January at 19:30 BST and nationwide on the iPlayer for 30 days thereafter.

Graphics courtesy of Pi Digital