A  SEA turtle named Steve is recovering at the Blue Reef Aquarium in Newquay after being discovered in a rock pool at Trebarwith Strand by a member of the RNLI.

The tiny loggerhead turtle — who measures just 20 centimetres in length — was found by RNLI Coastguard Chris Boundy.

Volunteers Faye Archell and Michelle Robinson from the British Divers Marine Life Rescue then collected the turtle and transported it to the Blue Reef Aquarium where it is recovering alongside a second stranded turtle called Squirt who was rescued last month.

If all goes well with their recovery both Steve and Squirt will eventually be flown out to the Canary Islands where they will be released back into the wild.

Blue Reef's David Waines said: "Although Steve is dehydrated he is one of the healthiest looking loggerheads we have received at Blue Reef with no visible damage except for an old injury to the rear right side of his shell.

"He's fortunate to have stranded at a time of year when the Cornish coastal water temperature is at 18C and we are confident he will make a full recovery. We are now focussing our efforts on rehydrating Steve and gradually raising the temperature of his display up to a more suitable temperature (24C)."

He added: "He has also started to take some small pieces of mackerel which is very encouraging. In the coming weeks as he recovers, he will undergo further checks to gain a greater insight into his overall health."

Loggerhead turtles are rare in UK waters but their numbers, along with other warm water species do seem to be on the rise.

If anyone does come across a stranded turtle the advice is not to try and put them back in the water but to contact an animal rescue organisation or Blue Reef Aquarium direct.

Blue Reef is the country's leading turtle rescue and rehabilitation centre having successfully released nine turtles back into the wild in recent year.