Commuters at Canary Wharf were greeted by an giant grey whale gliding down the Thames today.

Wildlife charity WWF floated the 11-metre replica from Westminster down to Docklands to highlight the plight faced by the Western Gray Whale.

It says as few as 130 gray whales remain, with a critical feeding ground in Russia under threat from oil drilling platforms.

Colin Butfield, head of campaigns at WWF, said: “WWF is calling on the banks to take action and oppose the plans - before it’s too late for these critically endangered whales.”