A 35-FOOT whale died this morning after becoming beached.

Despite efforts by RSPCA and RNLI staff, the creature died just after 9am this morning at Redcar Beach, East Cleveland.

The RNLI was alerted by Cleveland Police of the stricken mammal at 6.20am this morning.

The Mobile Coast Guard were deployed as well as the Fire Brigade, who kept the whale wet as RSPCA vets assessed its health.

It was hoped the whale could be kept alive until high tide at 3.03pm when it could be sent back out to sea.

But the whale died at around 9.05am as a members of the public looked on.

A spokeswoman for Cleveland Police said: "Police were contacted by a member of the public at 6.10am today, reporting a 30-40ft sperm whale on the beach, opposite Green Lane.

"On arrival the whale was still alive and partially submerged in seawater. "Police contacted the Coastguard, the Local Authority, the Fire Brigade, RSPCA and specialist marine animal welfare agencies.

"Police kept a cordon round the animal while they awaited colleagues from other organisations to arrive.

"Sadly, the whale was pronounced dead just after 9am.

"Arrangements for its disposal will be made by Local Authority Environmental Health Officers and members of the public are asked to stay away from that area of the beach until this is complete."

Speaking this morning, an RNLI spokesperson said: "We have just received notification that unfortunately it has just died in the last few minutes.

"We don't know the reasons but usually when they get to this situation the conclusion is that they don't survive. They do beach themselves for a reason."