Dick Downes with a Portuguese Man o'War he found at Atherfield Bay, near Chale. Picture by Jennifer Burton.
COASTGUARDS are warning people to be vigilant after Portuguese Man o’ War were spotted on the south coast, including on an Island beach.
Solent Coastguard is urging people to be on the lookout for the jellyfish-like creatures that can deliver a powerful sting.
Avid beachcomber, Dick Downes, of Atherfield, discovered two as he looked for fossils at Chale.
He said: "We’ve had a lot of strong winds blowing across the Atlantic in a westerly direction, quite probably bringing a lot of them along that would normally stay out in the Gulf Stream, getting swept up into the English Channel."
It’s believed that Portuguese Man o’ War have been spotted in West Wittering and the Selsey Bill areas off the West Sussex coast already this week.
The advice from the Marine Conservation Society is not to touch the jellyfish with bare hands, and seek medical attention if you are stung.