England’s only resident population of bottlenose dolphins has been discovered by researchers.

Experts analysed thousands of sightings and photographs from the South-west of England between 2007 and 2016.

They identified 98 individual bottlenose dolphins and were able to define a distinct group of 28 that were resident throughout the year.

These dolphins were present in shallow coastal waters mainly in Cornwall – particularly St Ives Bay and Mount’s Bay – but also in Devon and Dorset.

Ruth Williams, marine conservation manager at the Cornwall Wildlife Trust, described the discovery as “incredibly exciting”.

“Further work is needed but this is a huge step forward and I am proud of what our partnership between Cornwall Wildlife Trust, scientists and boat operators has achieved,” she said.

This stunning picture shows the moment dolphins leaped out of the water to the shock of some nearby surfers.

As the surfers prepared to ride the waves in the blue Cornish sea, the water mammals disrupted their plans.

Father-of-four Malcolm, of Newport in Wales, was visiting family when he caught sight of the show.

“I was walking down a coast I hadn’t visited in a while,” said marine mammal watcher, Malcolm.

“A friend bought me a pasty and I sat down to eat it and the next thing I knew I was watching these dolphins.”