DOG owners and dog walkers are being warned to take care as a substance believed to be potentially fatal palm oil have been found on the beach.

Brighton and Hove City Council are advising pet owners to keep a close eye on their dogs if they go to the city's beach as solidified palm oil has washed up.

The suspected palm oil deposits are white lumps that look a bit like candle wax and can smell rotten.

Ingesting the waxy oily nuggets can be fatal to dogs as it is toxic and can also choke them.

Brighton and Hove City Council’s seafront and cleansing teams are working to find and dispose of the substance.

They are putting up temporary signs alerting dog walkers to the possible danger.

Much larger amounts of suspected palm oil have washed up recently west of the city along Lancing and Shoreham beaches.

If you spot suspected palm oil on any Brighton and Hove beaches please contact the council’s seafront team on 01273 292716.