Thousands of dead starfish washed up on a Devon beach
Thousands of dead starfish covered a mile-long stretch of pebble beach in Devon yesterday.
It is thought the creatures were exhausted after spawning, which left them susceptible to wind and high tides.
Marine experts said the starfish probably drifted into shallow waters to feed on mussels and other shellfish but were then brought ashore.
Star attraction: A dog walker looks on a the starfish as they line a mile-long section of the beach at Budleigh Salterton in East Devon
They were strewn along the beach at Budleigh Salterton, East Devon.
The Environment Agency said yesterday that the odd sight appeared to be a natural occurrence and not caused by pollution.
One expert said the process of reproduction had left the starfish 'tired out' and they had been left 'susceptible' to tides and the wind.
Similar events happen once or twice a year in the UK, but it is the first time for Budleigh Salterton.
Dr David Gibson, managing director of the National Marine Aquarium in Plymouth, told BBC News: 'They like to spawn in areas like this, in shallow water near a pebble beach.
Flower-like: It is thought the creatures were exhausted from the reproductive process and had trouble fighting the tides and winds
'Unfortunately after the event they are quite tired and susceptible to the vagaries of tide and wind and they have washed up on the beach.'
He said there was no concerns about the numbers of dead starfish.
'They have already spawned. It's part of the natural breeding process.'
Another theory is that the starfish ran out of food and were washed up migrating to another area.
Lauren Davis of Devon Wildlife Trust, said: 'This is the first time it has happened on this beach, according to records.'
Unusual: The phenomenon happens once or twice a year, but has never happened in this location before
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