A man has been charged in connection with the deaths of 18 baby seals found on a beach, police have confirmed.

The 47-year-old was arrested after workers from Scottish Natural Heritage found the dead pups as they carried out a seal survey on the small island of East Linga, in Shetland.

They found 12 dead grey seal pups on one part of the beach and six on another section of the beach.

Officers from Northern Constabulary were called out after the grim discovery on Saturday, 29 November.

The man will appear at Lerwick Sheriff Court.

A report is being sent to the procurator fiscal.