IT seems an unusual creature is making its way back to Cornwall’s shores, three years approximately since the Post last reported on the bizarre sightings.

Portuguese Man O’War — or Physalia Physalis — are unusual creatures in that they are very likened to a jellyfish in their appearance. However, a Portuguese Man O’War is actually a floating colony of hydrozoans. The colourful, balloon-like entity is made up of organisms which behave as one animal, and they also pose an extremely painful, sometimes lethal, sting.

In October 2016, the Post reported on a sighting of one of the creatures on Salthouse beach, which was thought to be the first recorded sighting in Bude according to Dr Peter Richardson of the Marine Conservation Society’s biodiversity programme.

But it appears the creatures, which appear to have a transparent body incorporating pale blue, purple and pink colours, along with jellyfish-like polyps, have washed up on the Bude shores once again, following local lady Jan Wells’ discovery on Summerleaze beach.

Jan, along with her two terriers Maggie and Mabel, came across the Portuguese Man O’War while on their daily 2-minute beach clean. Jan, who cleans her local beach every day while walking her dogs, was a little startled when she spotted the creature on Summerleaze beach — as were Mabel and Maggie, who were keen to investigate before being firmly told to leave it by Jan.

Have you spotted a Portuguese Man O’War on a beach near you? Email [email protected] with photos and details of where you found the fascinating marine creature.