Mystery of East Lothian starfish strandings explained as creatures wash up on coast

Dozens of starfish have been spotted washed up on beaches across East Lothian as a result of powerful storm surges far out to sea.

Coastal walkers were astonished to find vast numbers of the marine creatures beached on sandbanks up and down the region as a result of violent weather.

Common starfish - which can be up to 30cm in diameter - are traditionally found in deeper waters of around 600m or in rock pools where they can be protected from predators.

But rough seas caused by recent inclement conditions both on and off land have meant the alien-like echinoderms have been washed into shallower waters, often in critical conditions.

Charlotte Bolton, national Seasearch coordinator at the marine conservation society, said: "Mass strandings of starfish happen surprisingly regularly, most often on beaches surrounded by a shallow, sandy seabed, and most often in winter when we have stormy weather.

"The starfish have probably been lifted from the seabed together during stormy seas, before being deposited on the beach by the waves, generally in poor condition."

Starfish are generally found in much deeper waters but have been brought onto shorelines by powerful storm surges. (Image: Bonnie Thomson) ((Image: Bonnie Thomson))

Common starfish are among more than 30 usually found in British waters, with sizes ranging from around 3cm in diameter to over two feet.

There are as many as 1,500 species of starfish worldwide.