HUNDREDS of shellfish have mysteriously washed up on the Dorset coast.

Scallops, mussels and razorfish were among the shellfish beached on the sand at Alum Chine. 

It is believed the shellfish came onto shore as a result of the storm last night (September 29).

The shellfish are common in the Dorset seas, with commercial fisheries for them operating out of Weymouth.

A concerned resident said: “There are scallops, muscles, razor fish, mussels. Some are trying to drag themselves back to the water.

“There’s a few of us here trying to get them back in the water but it’s a thankless task.

“I know people eat crustaceans and sea food, but this is devastating, there’s literally thousands of sea creatures going to die.”

Poole Mayor, Cllr Pete Miles operates Dorset Oysters, he said: “Poole Bay is home to an array of sea creatures. Shellfish thrive in colonies and lay in different patches and grounds around the bay.

“With a strong onshore gale particularly from the southeast they can get moved about in the swell and blown and dragged onshore.

“I can see a lot of slipper limpets, scallops and spiny cockle. It's a natural occurrence in storms.”