Southport Lifeboat crew were asked to help a porpoise that was in difficulty in the surf near Weld Road yesterday.

The crew met with the first informant who had been monitoring the mammal in the shallow water whilst the team arrived.

The crew entered the water and ushered the porpoise towards deeper water as it had no obvious sign of injury.

On the second attempt, the porpoise swam off back out to sea having found its bearings in the deeper water.

The Inshore Lifeboat along with members of British Divers Marine Life Rescue tried to follow the porpoise but could not locate it.

It is believed that it returned out to sea safely.

Also involved were Southport Coastguard team.