NATURE lovers will get their first chance to spot some of Yorkshire’s biggest wildlife visitors as the whale-watching season sets sail on the Yorkshire coast this weekend.

With the first sightings in recent days from Staithes to as far south as the Flamborough Headland, a chance to spot 30ft long minke whales is now an annual pilgrimage for many, on the coast where whales were hunted in the 19th century.

Tom Marshall, Nature Tourism manager with the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust joined the One Show’s Mike Dilger to film the whales last season from Staithes.

Tom said: “Our fascination with marine wildlife no doubt comes from the sense that we’re getting a privileged view into their own world when we hop aboard a boat and head into their domain.

“There’s nothing quite like seeing a glistening dark fin rise above the waves with the white cliffs or hazy view of Whitby Abbey in the background.

“We’re incredibly lucky to have the whales as just one of a series of wildlife stars here in the county, helping to deliver a multi-million pound contribution to local tourism economies.”

Jill Smith, from Whitby Whale Watching said: “We’re proud to have been putting Whitby back on the map for whales for the last few years, but today for all the rights reasons after the town’s whaling history. .”

“It’s hugely important to us that we approach our activities in an ethical manner.”