DOG walkers are being warned tonight to keep their pets under control while out on Hampshire beaches after palm oil began washing up following the storm over the weekend.

The substance is not dangerous to humans, but can cause injury or death to pets, particularly dogs, if ingested.

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Multi-Agency Storm Response Team said it had reports of the palm oil being washed up on Weston Shore in Southampton.

A spokesman said: “We'd like to warn members of the public, particularly dog walkers on coastal areas, to be extra cautious and keep their dogs under control on the foreshore.

“Palm Oil is described as slightly smaller than a rugby ball, white, chalky and with a slight smell of sulphur.

“The substance itself is not dangerous to humans, but can cause injury or death to pets, particularly dogs, if ingested.”

Hampshire Fire and Rescue is advising people picking up the substance to wear double vinyl gloves and place in a strong plastic bag over the substance and bag it up.

The outer gloves should be placed in with the oil, tie it off, before placing this into a second strong bag and also tie off. This can be binned.

Alternatively contact the local authority to come and remove it.

The source is currently unknown.

This comes after Hampshire Police issued bomb warnings after unexploded shells began washing up on the county's and the Isle of Wight's beaches.

This has included a six inch device which washed up on Hurst Spit in the New Forest on Saturday.

As reported, police sealed off the Spit and placed a 100m exclusion zone around the area