TWELVE species of whales, dolphins and porpoise have been seen in British and Irish waters so far this summer, says the marine research charity Sea Watch.

TWELVE species of whales, dolphins and porpoise have been seen in British and Irish waters so far this summer, says the marine research charity Sea Watch.

In Devon, the two most common species recorded in SW England during the watch were harbour porpoise and bottlenose dolphin.

Both were widely distributed in Devon and Cornwall, with porpoises extending into Somerset.

Most sightings of bottlenose dolphin were of groups of between seven and 12 individuals.

Nine of the 12 species sighted - killer (orca), minke and humpback whales; Risso's, Atlantic white sided, white beaked, common, bottlenose dolphins and harbour porpoises - were reported during the National Whale and Dolphin Watch held last month.