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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
National
Kieran Isgin

Warning to Yorkshire beachgoers over tiny venomous fish you don't want to step on

As the temperatures warm up, many people will be heading to the beaches of Yorkshire to soak up the sun.

However, the overflow of visitors has resulted in an increase in incidents relating to a particularly painful fish. Reports of stings from the weever fish have been reported across many of Britain's coasts and are now being reported in Yorkshire.

While they are not life-threatening, the intense pain and rash they can cause is more than enough to ruin any day out. It can be hard to spot the fish due to the fact that they're quite small and bury themselves in the sand.

Read more: Disgusting pictures shows inside of Oldham's filthiest takeaways as council shut ten down

RNLI lifeguards in Filey posted on Facebook to warn beachgoers of the little fiendish fish. It said: "The RNLI Lifeguards at Filey are having to treat a number of visitors who have suffered weever fish stings while in the sea. Weever fish are found all round our coast.

“They like to bury themselves in soft sand so are often in the sea on our most popular beaches. Now for a fish that is two inches long you wouldn't think it was a threat. However many, many adults and children every year step on them.

"Unfortunately they have a poisonous spine on their backs...and the pain?? Well let’s say it can be holiday spoiling.”

Filey Beach in North Yorkshire (Peter Harbour - Yorkshire Live)

The RNLI also made a post providing advice about how to avoid the fish, and how to treat stings if you do get unlucky.

It said: "The easiest way [to avoid getting stung] is to purchase some beach shoes, they can be purchased pretty much everywhere and are cheap. Beach shoes can be flip flops, crocs or wet suit type shoes, even old trainers will do the job! Beach shoes also prevent you from being burnt on the hot sands or from hurting yourself by standing on glass and litter.

“If you decide to risk going bare foot and fall foul there are no quick treatments but a simple one does exist. Hot water, as hot as you can stand it and change regularly for 60-90minutes.

“If you suspect that you have been stung by a weever fish then please present yourself to the RNLI Lifeguards Yorkshire at Hornsea, located on the South Promenade.”

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