REGULAR monitoring of a whale carcass found dead at Culross in January will continue amid concerns over the smell.

The large mammal was discovered on the beach between the village and the former Longannet Power Station site back in January.

It was decided that the carcass of the fin whale would be left there to decompose naturally.

Providing an update, local councillor Sam Steele confirmed she had been contacted by householders over the stench emanating from the dead animal.

Posting on Facebook, she stated: "The whale carcass on the beach was mentioned again at the recent Culross Community Council meeting, and I'd received a couple of complaints from residents that the smell was becoming overpowering."

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After contacting the Fife Coast and Countryside Trust about the worries, she was told the onset of winter was likely to accelerate the decomposing process of the whale.

The Trust said a recent inspection found that the carcass was "steadily degrading" and the odour had "significantly diminished."

Fife Coast and Countryside Trust's Head of operations, Robbie Blyth, told the Press they would continue to regularly monitor the fin whale carcass which is in the advanced stages of decomposition.

"In this state, the carcass is enriching the coastal environment with nutrients and providing an important food source for wildlife, particularly as winter approaches," he explained.

"Seasonal storms and high tides will speed up the decomposing process and we expect it to have fully decomposed by the end of the year.

“The odour has significantly diminished, but the public will notice a smell if close to it. Walkers are reminded that it is an offence to cross the railway line to look at the carcass.”