Pictures have been released of a basking shark that washed up on a Scottish beach.

Largs Coastguard Rescue Team has issued images of the shark on the coast at Skelmorlie, North Ayrshire.

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) said the 15ft shark was dead when it washed up near to the A78 Shore Road.

Basking sharks, which can be up to 40ft long, are the largest fish in British waters and the second largest in the world, after the whale shark.

An MCA spokeswoman said: "This was reported to us by a member of the public in the evening of January 23. The shark was dead when it washed up. It was 15ft long and weighed a few tonnes.

"North Ayrshire Council was contacted and we sent Largs Coastguard Rescue Team to confirm it. All relevant agencies were informed."