A beluga whale has been spotted swimming in the River Thames in Kent.

The British Divers Marine Life Rescue says it is "concerning as it's not a common species, however it's swimming strongly and feeding".

LIVE: Beluga whale spotted swimming in the Thames

The RSPCA says it is "sending an officer" to look further into the matter as videos circulate on social media.

Ecologist and ornithologist Dave Andrews posted a video on Twitter saying: "Can't believe I'm writing this, no joke - BELUGA in the Thames off Coalhouse Fort".


For anyone twitching the #BELUGA its been feeding around the barges (see last tweet for location) for the last hour and hasn't moved more than 200m in either direction. Still present. Heres another video @RareBirdAlertUK pic.twitter.com/S2qxKJyuuD — Dave Andrews (@iPterodroma) September 25, 2018

Mr Andrews says a beluga whale has been feeding around the barges and has roughly stayed in the same spot for about an hour.

Beluga whales, also called white whales, are most commonly seen in waters in the Arctic close to the coast.