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In June 2009, TV and radio stations in the North East reported that members of the public had spotted a whale washed up on the beach at Cresswell, near Druridge Bay.

Sadly, in this case, the whale was dead, but although this incident hit the local headlines more than most it is not that uncommon for marine mammals like whales, dolphins, and porpoise to become stranded on the country's beaches.

A washed up whale at Skegness

Richard Ilderton is North East coordinator for British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR), an organisation dedicated to the rescue and well-being of marine mammals in distress.

He said they average around 50 call outs a year along the coastline between Berwick-upon-Tweed and Teesside.

"It can be anything from dolphins and porpoise to reports of whales. Most of the time the mammals are fine, they are just ashore, but we still need people to go to check them.

"In the past I've also sent medics down to Skegness for two stranded whales down there, and we've been down to Humber and across to Maryport in Cumbria, so we travel too."

"We're getting more calls from the RSPCA and the public now and if people knew what to do when they found a sick mammal they could potentially keep it viable for re-flotation," he said.

Volunteers receive training in how to assess, treat and care for injured, sick and stranded creatures and Richard said anyone can get involved - no experience necessary.

"There's a fair mix of people on the team. We've got students, people who work in retail, someone in residential lettings, an author - all sorts of backgrounds really.

"It's the kind of thing where you can be as involved as you want to be.

Cute but not cuddly!

"People don't necessarily have to be willing to jump into the sea to strap pontoons onto a whale.

"There are people with office skills who can help to collate the medical information or reports, for example. Or there's the opportunity to stay on the shoreline and do crowd control or PR work."

And, despite the name of the organisation, you do not have to be a diver to join - Richard, who works for the ambulance service, says he's terrified by the very idea of going under water! In fact the only requirement for volunteering is that you are over 16.

Training

Anyone who wants to volunteer must attend a one-day marine mammal medic training course, which includes some practical training with a realistic water-filled dolphin and whale as well as information on how to assess cetaceans and seals and health and safety advice.

The next course in the North East is scheduled for 25 July 2009 in Tynemouth and costs £90. For more information call BDMLR on 01825 765546 or visit their website.

Members of the public who find sick or dead animals on the coastline can contact the BDMLR stranding line 24 hours a day on the same phone number.