Dolphins and young rescued after stranding on Orkney beach

A pod of dolphins have been saved after being stranded on a beach in Orkney.

Six common dolphins including two calves became stranded in the Bay of Tuquoy off Westray on Tuesday.

The mammals were found up to 800m (almost half a mile) apart, which made rescue efforts physically demanding and meant rescuers had to communicate by mobile phone.

British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) medics were able to successfully re-float all of the mammals.

Several agencies were involved in the rescue including a local charter boat operator Northerly Marine and Westray Coastguard.

All of the mammals were assessed by vets and deemed healthy to be re-floated using specialist slings.

The BDMLR said the reason for the stranding was not immediately apparent but it was most likely that the group stranded on the previous high tide, potentially due to a navigational error.

The organisation said all dolphins were seen swimming successfully after being re-float, but three stayed close to the shore which was a concern.