PEOPLE are being advised to stay away from a large whale carcass washed up on the beach at Wanson Bay last weekend.

The advanced state of decomposition means the cause of death of the whale has not been established.

People have been advised to keep well away from the carcass on health grounds.

Ruth Williams, marine conservation manager at the Cornwall Wildlife Trust said: "We recommend that advice is followed and people stay away from the carcass, and keep dogs on leads. This is a decomposing animal that could be carrying viral or bacteriological infection."

Widemouth Task Force also advises people to take note of warning signs near the carcass, while the Environmental Health Agency is urging people to avoid the strip of shoreline all together.

It is believed that due to poor access to the area the whale will be left for nature to take its course.

For the full report, and a round-up of the area news and sport, see this week's edition of the Post.