DOG walkers are this morning being warned to keep a close eye on their pets while out on beaches after potentially toxic palm oil began washing up on Hampshire shorelines.

The vegetable oil found in boulder-sized chunks poses no risk to humans, but can cause injury or death to pets, particularly dogs if swallowed.

The New Forest Dog Owners Group issued the warning after palm oil being washed up on beaches in the county.

Following storms last week the waxy white substance has been washed up on shorelines in the Brighton area.

Palm oil is grown across the world and used mainly in food, soaps, shampoos and biofuels.

The edible vegetable oil derived from the reddish pulp of the fruit of oil palms and primarily comes from south-east Asia and Africa The boulders can emit a smell of diesel which are attractive to dogs and bird life who like to lick or nibble on the substance but leaves them writhing in agony.

Recent reports suggest the oil becomes glue-like when dogs eat it and it gets lodged throughout their body and leads to difficulty breathing.

The high toxin count also has damaging effects on the dog’s health and leads to vomiting and diarrhoea.

Swift treatment involving feeding charcoal to dogs to soak up the oil and induce vomiting is paramount.

People picking up the substance are advised 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 call the local authority to remove it.