SCORES of venomous Portuguese man o'war jellyfish have been spotted off the East Devon coast.

Around 80 have been seen on beaches at Seaton, Beer, Branscombe and Sidmouth, as well as parts of West Dorset.

They were picked up by coastguards and staff from East Devon District Council to the east of the district. A further 20 were found at Sidmouth yesterday.

The creatures can deliver a painful sting which, in rare cases, can cause serious side-effects.

Their appearance is exceptionally rare; they are not normally found close to these shores. They are thought to have been blown towards East Devon's coastline by southerly and south westerly winds over the past few days.

Warning signs have been posted on beaches to make holidaymakers aware that more jellyfish could come ashore and giving advice about what to do if anyone is stung.

Experienced surfer Paul Turner saw one of the jellyfish while surfing off Sidmouth.

Paul, a lecturer from Bicton College, was surfing at Sidmouth's main beach with two other people when he had his close encounter. He said: "We first saw the Portuguese man o' war about 100 yards out on the main beach, right opposite the public car park.

"When I finished surfing it was on the sand next to the shingle line, only 40 yards from the main steps.

"When I had changed out of my wetsuit, I drove down to the lifeboat station and told the guys outside with the idea of getting it cleared off the beach."

Paul, an engineering lecturer, said he had been surfing for about three years, mainly at Sidmouth main beach, and said it was the first time he has seen a Portugese man o' war.

East Devon District Council's beach safety officer Andy Phillips said: "Although the improving weather should bring people on to our lovely beaches, they will have to take care that they don't get stung by one of these unwelcome visitors. If you see one, don't touch it.

"If you step on one, or are stung while swimming, take immediate action. The jellyfish can still sting you even when they are dead.

"Salt water should be applied to the stung area and someone wearing gloves should remove the tentacles.

"The wound should then be treated with hot water and ice packs. If you are feeling unwell, seek medical advice."

Portuguese man o'war are not a true jellyfish, but a siphonophore — a single animal made up of a colony of organisms.