Giant jellyfish invade Formby beach over weekend

Nov 24 2010 by Rob Pattinson, Formby Times

Giant jellyfish invade Formby beach over weekend

HUNDREDS of huge jellyfish carcasses weighing up to 40kg lay scattered across the beach last Sunday, from Formby right up to Ainsdale.

Experts believe the swarm of giant creatures, known as rhizostoma octopus (barrel jellyfish) was forced into shallow waters as a result of last week’s bad weather.

And the sight came as quite a shock to dozens of people out walking their dogs over the weekend.

One of those who couldn’t quite believe their eyes was Irene Twiss, of Harrington Road, who took a picture of her pet Shih-Tzu Jonny inspecting one of the creepy creatures.

She said: “They were a real sight, Jonny was very nervous – I was thinking of going on a cruise but this has put me right off the idea.”

And our photographer Colin Lane, who took the stunning shot opposite while out walking his own dog, was another one amazed by the sight.

He said: “It was like the invasion of the jellyfish out there.”

The harmless sea jelly, which can weigh up to 40kg and measure one metre in diameter, has eight 'legs' covered with a network of mouths that catch plankton as it swims.