A total of eleven Portuguese man o'war, sea creatures which look similar to jellyfish, have been discovered by the district council at Bracklesham Bay, East Wittering, West Wittering and Selsey, and people are being advised to stay out of the sea in case more turn up.

The first was found on Sunday night (August 17) by the council's foreshores team, and a further eight yesterday (Monday, August 18). Two more findings of the creatures have just been confirmed by the district council.

"These are extremely rare and this is the first time we've had nay jellyfish on our beach," said David Piper, estate manager of West Wittering Estate.

"We put the red flag up on Sunday (August 17) afternoon and took everybody out of the water.

"Two of the creatures came in on Monday and the only people in the water at the time had wet suits on. We've advised people not to go into the water."

Staff at the West Wittering beach resort have three Portuguese man o'war kept in a bucket.

Chichester District Council has sent out a warning to the public to keep away from the creatures.

"We don't want local residents or visitors to panic, we just want people to be vigilant," said a council spokesman.

"Since this has happened, we have informed local hospitals, the harbour master and West Wittering Estate, and have displayed our 'no bathing' flags," the spokesman added.

"Our foreshores team is also closely monitoring all of our beaches in case further creatures appear. If any members of the public do find a Portuguese man o'war, we would advise them to refrain from touching it and to contact the Council immediately.

"If someone believes that they have been stung by one of these creatures they should seek medical attention."

A Portuguese man o'war was often considered a jellyfish, but was actually a colony of specialised polyps and medusoids which lived beneath a gas-filled sac called an air bladder.

Experts believed that recent weather conditions have caused the creature to be washed into UK waters. The sting was said to be excruciatingly painful.

Have you spotted the sea creature? Get in contact with the news desk by clicking here.



What do you think? Click here to send a letter or leave a comment below.

Click here to go back to Chichester news
Click here to go back to Bognor Regis news
Click here to go back to Midhurst and Petworth news

To tell us where in the world you are reading this story click on the link below to add yourself to our readers' map.

MAP