Beachgoers warned as creatures resembling ‘venomous’ Portuguese man o’ war found

Jellyfish-like creatures resembling the venomous Portuguese man o’ war have washed up on south coast beaches, sparking warnings from the UK Coastguard.

Members of the public have been urged to stay away from them as they could cause "very painful" and possibly fatal stings.

There are reports the sea creatures may have been blown into British waters from the Atlantic by winds caused by Hurricane Ophelia.

They have distinctive transparent bodies and are often mistakenly thought to be a jellyfish.

But they are actually siphonophores – and one example is the Portuguese man o’ war.

They have reportedly washed up on beaches in Dorset and Devon, at places including Dawlish, Lyme, Charmouth, Bournemouth, Swanage, Seaton, Hove and Portsmouth.

Chris Sallows from the UK Coastguard said: "We are aware of these sightings after receiving multiple reports from members of the public yesterday and today.

"Until an accurate identification is made, members of the public are advised to keep away from these jellyfish and report any sighting to their local council.

"The Coastguard has also advised the local councils of these recent sightings.

"Stings from Portuguese man o’ war can be very painful and potentially harmful to humans and dogs alike."

Bournemouth Council tweeted: "Portuguese man o’ war have been found washed up primarily in Southbourne. Please don’t touch them and contact 01202 451781 for safe removal."

Andy Reed posted photographs of the creatures on Poole beach, writing: "Ok smart people. What are these that I found washed up on #Poole Beach today? They’re about 15cm long and seemed inflated."

Meanwhile, Beth Pantlin said she saw a dozen or more Portuguese man o’ war on Rhossili beach at Gower in Wales.

She told the Somerset Live website: "There was around 12 or more of these guys washed up on the shore alongside the barrel jellyfish. We had never seen them before.

"Loads of surfers on the beach too – we would have said if we had realised what they were at the time!"

(c) Sky News 2017: Beachgoers warned as creatures resembling ‘venomous’ Portuguese man o’ war found