Marine Conservation Society (MCS) staff have received reports of several Portuguese Men-of-War washing up on beaches in Cornwall just weeks after authorities in Ireland warned local beach-goers about a spate of recent strandings of this potentially dangerous floating sea creature.

Stings can be exceptionally painful and in extreme cases fatal.   

MCS says Portuguese Man-of-War (Physalia physalis) are only occasionally reported in UK waters with the last significant UK strandings of the species in 2009 and 2012.

Dr Peter Richardson, Head of the MCS Biodiversity Programme, said: ’It’s the tentacle-like polyps that can give an agonising and potentially lethal sting.

’Because a stranded Portuguese Man of War looks a bit like a deflating purple balloon with blue ribbons attached, children will find it fascinating.

’So, if you’re visiting a Cornish beach this weekend it’s well worth making sure you know what these animals look like and that no one picks them up.

’We’d like people to report any sightings of Portuguese Man Of War to our website so we get a better idea of the extent of the strandings.’

If you spot a Portuguese Man-of-War report the sighting immediately, ideally with a picture, to www.mcsuk.org, where a Jellyfish ID Guide, which  includes the Portuguese Man O War, can also be downloaded.