Beachgoers are being warned to look out for potentially dangerous jellyfish-like creatures after the discovery of four Portuguese Man o' War in British waters in the past week. The jellyfish, which are rarely seen in British seas, have been found off the Dorset coast.

Until last year there were only occasional sightings, but in the last two summers about 20 man o' war have been discovered along the south west coast of England.

Human contact with the tentacles usually results in painful stings that leave lesions and ulcerations. The poisonous sting has been known to trigger fatal anaphylactic shocks.

As reported in the Telegraph.co.uk by Richard Savill - click here for link

Image Quest Marine has images of this tropical pelagic creature in its archives: