A large number of creatures have suddenly appeared on Aberavon beach after the recent stormy weather.
Hundreds of sandy tube and starfish-like creatures were spotted covering the popular beach in Neath Port Talbot .
The tiny star-shaped species, called ophiura ophiura, and the tubeworms, proper name pectinaria belgica, were ripped off their seabed by the storms over the weekend.
Ophiura ophiura are typically found on coastal seabeds around north-western Europe, while pectinaria belgica are usually up to 70mm long and burrow into sand.
The Marine Conservation Society confirmed storm activity would have led to them being washed up on the shore.
Experts said this happened regularly and it was thought it would be seen more frequently if climate change increased.
The jellyfish invasion on a beach in Wales:
Dr Charlotte Bolton, Marine Conservation Society national seasearch co-ordinator, said: "The brittlestars and tubes (from tubeworms) seen on the beaches here will have been stripped off the seabed by the recent storms.
"Whilst it’s very sad to see such volumes of marine life washed ashore, this is a natural and regular phenomenon which occurs as a result of unsettled and extreme weather."
Last month hundreds of jellyfish washed up on Cefn Sidan in Carmarthenshire and in June a rare pygmy sperm whale was found on Pendine Sands.
