Children and animals should be aware they may well be at risk from chunks of congealed palm oil, sometimes the size of boulders, which are washing up on to our beaches.

Palm oil is a natural, edible vegetable which can be used in food processing but can become a problem when released legally by ships at sea.  These deadly white blobs, or “fatbergs” which sometimes smell of diesel and can be covered in killer germs, have been washing up on the West Country coastline for many months.

Local vets in Cornwall have previously warned dog owners to be on their guard after lumps of the deadly palm oil washed up on beaches around Cornwall, leaving pets seriously ill.

Speaking to Roseland Online, a spokesman for Cornwall Council said, “Whilst on the ships, and whilst in the sea, palm oil can become contaminated with other waste products and because it’s edible it can be attractive to some animals who can become ill after coming into contact with it.

“If you’re heading to the beach please take care – while the substance has been described as non-toxic, given the reports about dogs becoming ill, we’d suggest keeping children and pets away from the deposits. And if you come into contact with the substance, wash it off with soap or shower gel and wash your clothes.”