THREE dead birds, believed to be victims of the sticky oil slick that has already killed more than 1,000 sea birds along the southwest coast, have been discovered at Kimmeridge Bay.

Dorset Wildlife Trust Chesil Centre officer Marc Smith confirmed on Saturday morning that the birds were found late on Friday. 

He added: “Something else that was quite noticeable is that the wind shifted to an easterly yesterday so all the debris that was hanging of Chesil Cove in the water, which we were waiting for to wash in, has been dispersed.”

At least 85 dead birds have now washed up at Chesil Cove.

Dead Guillemots, razorbills and puffins have been found in a wide area from Dodman Point, Cornwall, to Poole.

Researchers have confirmed the substance found on the dead birds further along the southwest coast is polyisobutene (PIB).

Further tests will now be carried out at Plymouth University to see if the dead birds washing up in Dorset are also contaminated with PIB The substance is used in the manufacture of chewing gum, adhesive tape and sealants and used as a thickening agent for industrial lubricant oils.

Mr Smith told the Daily Echo: “We are going to send some samples off to Plymouth University to see if the birds we have here are linked to the ones further down the coast.

“We will continue to monitor the situation over the weekend.”