A CREATURE which can give a painful and potentially fatal sting has washed up on the beach.

The Sussex Wildlife Trust is warning people to keep away from this Portuguese Man O' War spotted near Shoreham yesterday.

Swimmers and beach users are advised to be vigilant in case any more turn up along the coast.

Reports of the creatures in Sussex are rare but there have been cases in Devon, Cornwall and parts of Wales.

A spokesman for the wildlife trust said: "The gas-filled bladder acts as a sail.

"Their long tentacles can result in a painful sting so please don't touch if you see one."