A shark has washed up on a Sussex beach as heavy winds and strong tides are bringing creatures ashore.

The smooth-hound, a type of shallow water shark, was found dead on Lancing beach yesterday afternoon.

Typically feeding on crustaceans and shellfish in the sand and shingle on the seabed, smooth-hounds spend much of their time near the coastline so are vulnerable to being washed up in windier weather.

The Argus: The shark washed up on the beachThe shark washed up on the beach (Image: Submitted)

Andy Fry, Sussex Wildlife Trust’s wildcall officer warned beachgoers to keep their distance from such stranded creatures.

He said: “If you happen to find a stranded marine animal, make sure to give it some space and report it. Live animals should be reported to British Divers Marine Life Rescue, and dead animals to the Cetacean Strandings Investigation Program.

“We're well-accustomed to seeing things like seaweed, shells, crabs and the occasional cuttlebone on the beach, but windier weather like that we have experienced recently can bring all sorts of things to shore.

“While it can be sad to see dead animals on the shore, it can provide interesting insight into creatures which live in our seas that you might not otherwise get to see.”