Northfleet: Three dolphins spotted in the River Thames

Three dolphins have been spotted in the River Thames in Kent.

The dolphins were spotted at around midday on Sunday by Royal National Life Boat Institution (RNLI) volunteers in Northfleet.

John Robinson, a crew member, said it was "incredible to witness right here on the River Thames, especially when they were jumping out of the water".

The volunteers waited for the pod to pass before taking their lifeboat back to its station in Gravesend.

Ian Smith, RNLI station manager, said dolphins were "definitely on the rarer side of marine mammals we spot".

Mr Robinson added: "We spotted the dolphin-like fins at first. There were two adults and a calf."

The RNLI said the tidal Thames is home to 125 species of fish and marine and terrestrial mammals.

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