A BEACHED porpoise got a lift to safety on RNLI hovercraft during a Morecambe Bay rescue.

The marine mammal got stranded on the sandbanks and shallow waters at Arnside yesterday.

The alarm was raised at around 2.30pm when people saw the porpoise was in difficulty.

The British Divers Marine Life Rescue were alerted and they were assisted at the scene by Arnside and South Lakes Coastguard Rescue Team and a vet.

Onlookers saw the teams managed to refloat the adult porpoise but she was struggling to get out to the deeper waters by herself.

Morecambe RNLI team were called in to assist. The porpoise had been deemed fit and healthy by the vet so the Morecambe RNLI hovercraft was used to transport her out to the deeper waters. She was then successfully released and was seen to be swimming away strongly.

Sarah Neill, Cumbria coordinator of British Divers Marine Life Rescue, who was part of the rescue team, said: "A lot of people worked together to help the porpoise. It was great teamwork. I'd like to thank everyone for their help, they were all brilliant."

*If the public find a marine mammal in difficulty they are asked to call the British Divers Marine Life Rescue hotline on 01825 765546 during office hours, or 07787 433412 out of hours.

When calling the rescue hotline the public will be asked to note the place, the state of the tide and any injuries that can be can seen, but without getting close to the marine mammal. The team will then get a trained medic out as soon as possible.