THE body of a 35-tonne sperm whale has been removed from the beach at Redcar.

Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council became responsible for clearing the site once it became clear the 44ft mammal had not survived.

"A painstaking operation, involving specialist contractors, was launched with the massive creature initially having to be secured to the beach's groynes to prevent it being washed out to sea," said a spokesman.

"It was later hauled about 20ft further up the beach, to drier sands, to allow experts from the Zoological Society of London to conduct a detailed autopsy.

"That examination was completed late last night, with the definitive results not expected to be known for a couple of weeks, although the whale was a long way from its native waters and usual food supply."

A five-hour operation then began this morning to dismantle the carcass, with the jaw bone removed and hydraulic plant - more accustomed to road construction, mining and quarrying jobs – used to break it down further.

The carcass was taken away from the scene in giant containers by contractors John Warren Animal By-Products.

"The Council is now working to finally clear the affected area of the beach, with layers of sand being removed," the spokesman said.

"A cordon is still in place on the footpath overlooking the beach, as cleaning work is undertaken on the stretch of sand affected. The path is expected to re-open about 8pm today."

Councillor Steve Goldswain, the Council's Cabinet Member for Community Protection, said: "We must again pay tribute to the efforts of everyone involved in such a complicated operation.

"As well as the sensitivities surrounding the disposal of the carcass, we have had to consider the potential health hazards and risk to shipping, and we thank the many members of the public who have visited the site for bearing with us."