Beach-Goers Warned About Jellyfish

Dangerous tropical jellyfish have washed onto British shores after being blown in by strong winds, it has been reported.

However, this is the second year in a row that the creatures, known as Portuguese Man-o-War jellyfish, have been found on the South West coast.

The Marine Conservation Society (MCS) said "unusually large" numbers of Man-o-Wars had been found in Dorset, Devon, Cornwall and the Isle of Wight.

Beach-goers are being warned not to touch the jellyfish, which can give a painful and potentially dangerous sting.

The Man-o-War's, which are also known as bluebottles, usually live in tropical waters far out in the open sea.

They are usually found in places such as Florida Keys, the Gulf Stream and the Gulf of Mexico.

Peter Richardson, from the MCS, said that since mid-July, the charity had received at least 10 reports of Man-o-Wars in the South West.

Mr Richardson said that "people need to be aware of the risks and look but not touch" and while the "jellyfish look very pretty", the danger is "if a child picks one up to show his mum".

"There are some records of some fatalities. You're not guaranteed to die but some people go into anaphylactic shock," he said.

A Man-o-War is made up of a colony of seperate creatures that make up different parts of it to form one jellyfish.

The creatures' tentacles can grow up to 165ft and hang from an "inflatable sail" that floats on the surface.

Anyone who finds a Portuguese Man-o-War is urged to report it to the MCS.

Washed up Man o' Wars will die and eventually break down but they can still sting if the tentacles are wet.

Mr Richardson had advised people to seek medical assistance if they are worried about a sting.

The Daily Mirror reported that a seven-year-old boy was treated after getting stung on the leg while paddling at Charmouth.

Just six sightings of the creatures were recorded in the UK in 2003.

(DS)