Up to 50 grey whales could be flown from California to Cumbria under a plan by two academics to reintroduce and breed the species in the Atlantic Ocean, where they existed until 400 years ago.

Dr Andrew Ramsey and Dr Owen Nevin, of the University of Central Lancashire, hope to stimulate a lucrative whale watching industry and regenerate fishing communities around the British Isles.

However, although grey whales – which are also known as friendlies – attract many tourists in Mexico and California, the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society in the UK said that the highly migratory species is unlikely to simply sit off the coast of Cumbria for people to admire. Details: www.wdcs.org