Wildlife watchers were treated to sights of the once-endangered whales off the Sussex coast, from Eastbourne to Hastings.

Dr Sparling says: 'Globally the humpback whale population is growing, as it recovers after the cessation of commercial whaling, so we may continue to see rises in sightings around the UK.

It’s a fantastic start to the year for marine wildlife sightings, with some incredible humpback whales already reported around the UK.

Wildlife experts believe a rare species of whale has been spotted near Cornwall. The Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust said it had received reports of 17 whale sightings in the waters around the islands ...