Warning over mystery residue on Lancashire beaches

Residents are being warned to avoid a mystery substance washed up on the Lancashire coastline.

Wyre Council said deposits of a fatty, yellow substance with a rancid smell have been found on beaches in Knott End, Fleetwood, Cleveleys and St Annes.

Beaches remain open but it advised people to avoid contact with the greasy residue, supervise children carefully and keep dogs on a lead.

Tests are being done on the item to identify the substance.

Alison Bowden from Wyre Council said she has absolutely no idea what the substance which appeared over the weekend is.

"All we know is it has come from the sea... but whereabouts and why we can't say."

In a joint statement, Wyre, Blackpool and Fylde councils and Environment Agency (EA) said council rangers are patrolling beaches and monitoring the situation.

It said Blackpool Council has no confirmed reports of any deposits on its beaches but its patrol team is surveying the coastline.

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency said the substance "could be a number of vegetable oils".

Wyre Council said the results from the laboratory tests could take up to take five days.