Groups of blue jellyfish have been spotted on a North East beach after high temperatures in the water have brought the sea creatures onto the sands of the region. 

On Sunday (July 21), the blue jellyfish were spotted at Redcar Beach - with the animals scattered across the sand next to dog walkers and people enjoying the sun. 

Despite plenty of people on the beach, many people passed by without a second glance - with the sun shining off the jellyfish; giving them the blue tinge. 

It's believed that the return of the jellyfish has been linked to the rise in temperatures in the water, as the heat outside the water reached over 25 degrees on Sunday in Redcar. 

The jellyfish on Redcar BeachThe jellyfish on Redcar Beach (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

While the animals have washed up on the shores of the North East coast, wildlife experts are keen to note that while the creatures look impressive, they still sting and distance should be kept from them.

A spokesperson for the Wildlife Trust said: "There are thousands of species of jellyfish in the world but only a few are commonly spotted in UK waters. Read our guide to find out what jellyfish you might have seen on local beaches near you. Remember not to get too close, jellyfish can sting."

What is a blue jellyfish?

According to the Wildlife Trust, it is: "a typical looking jellyfish, with a dome-shaped bell and stinging tentacles trailing underneath. The bell colour depends on maturity and can vary from pale yellow to purple. Paler individuals are easily confused with the larger lion's mane jellyfish."

Have jellyfish been on Redcar Beach before? 

Yes - back in 2000, there was an 'invasion' of jellyfish on the sands at Redcar.

At the time, Paul Castle, foreshore manager for Redcar and Cleveland Council at the time, said he had never seen so many jellyfish at Redcar.

There have been similar jellyfish wash-ups in Whitby and Scarborough over the years.