Blue bottles wash-up on south coast

Local beaches have been littered with a brilliant hue as a number bluebottles have washed ashore in recent weeks.

The small jellyfish are often blown onshore during autumn and winter when warm northern currents carry them to more temperate waters.

Although bluebottles are not deadly, the stings can cause intense localised pain and small welts which can last for an hour or more.

The Physalia utriculus body can grow up to 10 cm with tentacles usually smaller than 3m, however the tentacles frequently break off in rough water and can still sting.