Cornwall stranded dolphin helped back out to sea

The mammal was brought ashore and given a health assessment

A dolphin has been rescued after becoming stranded in a shallow inlet in Cornwall.

The female mammal was seen swimming in circles in the inlet at Place at about 11:40 GMT on Friday.

British Divers Marine Life Rescue said a team was sent to initially observe the animal but she eventually stranded in mud.

The 2.03m (6.6ft) dolphin was then brought to shore and given a clean bill of health by vets.

The team was helped by a local resident who offered to use his boat to take the dolphin out to deeper water.

The female common dolphin stranded in an inlet at Place

The dolphin was transferred to the boat and laid on a surfboard and a mat to keep her comfortable while being taken out to open sea.

Once there, the dolphin was hauled overboard on a stretcher and briefly held alongside the boat.

"She started kicking strongly almost straight away," the team said.

"It was hard to keep hold and so she was released quickly.

"The boat retreated and the team observed her circling in the middle of the channel until she was lost from sight."

The inlet will continue to be monitored in case of another stranding.

The dolphin was helped back to safety