Plummeting sea temperatures during this winter’s Arctic weather caused the death of thousands of sea creatures.

Fish, velvet swimming crabs, also known as devil crabs, and starfish suffered hypothermia and froze to death, according to the Environment Agency.

At the weekend the marine life was washed up on Brighton beach and seen by dozens of weekend walkers.

It is believed the bodies of other sea creatures will have been washed up on beaches across Sussex.

It is not the first time the bodies of starfish have washed ashore in Sussex.

In March 2008 and March 2009 investigations were launched after thousands of dead starfish were spotted on Brighton beach.

An Environment Agency spokeswoman said the reason behind the deaths is because sea temperatures dropped so low at the end of last year.

She said many creatures were simply unable to cope and developed hypothermia.