Over 50 whales die after mass stranding near Albany

Over 50 whales have died overnight after a mass stranding near Albany.

Nearly 100 pilot whales beached themselves at Cheynes Beach around 4pm on Tuesday.

Hours later they were spotted swimming in an unusual cluster close to shore.

"Sadly 51 whales have died overnight after a mass stranding at Cheynes Beach," a Parks and Wildlife spokesperson said.

"Parks and Wildlife Service personnel are working in partnership with registered volunteers and other organisations to try to return the remaining 46 whales to deeper water during the course of the day.

"The Parks and Wildlife Service has been overwhelmed with hundreds of offers of help to rescue the stranded whales, and we now have enough registered volunteers.

"For safety reasons, members of the public are urged to stay away from the beach."