The mauve stinger menace in Marbella

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Scores of jellyfish that caused more than 1,000 people to seek medical treatment for painful stings in the Costa Del Sol in July have returned to several beaches this week.

All along the Malaga coast of southern Spain, lifeguards have been forced to shut beaches to protect the public from harm.

Scientists have detected an unusually large plague of the Pelagia noctiluca, commonly known as the 'mauve stinger'.

Holiday makers are forced to drag the scores of jelly fish out of the water to protect people from stings

This plague of jelly fish has been blamed on the weather and overfishing in Spanish waters

The small purplish bell shaped creatures deliver painful stings through tentacles that can reach three metres in length.

Spain's tourism ministry has blamed the infestation on overfishing in the region, which has left the jellyfish without natural predators such as turtles, tuna and swordfish.

Other causes put forward have been that winds and ocean currents had caused scores of jellyfish to gather around coves and beaches. 

 

Another explanation is that high temperatures and a lack of rain could be the cause.

In July 1,700lb of jellyfish were caught in baskets on one day alone, which were then brought on land to be destroyed.

The public is being warned to take care via a poster campaign across several beaches in Spain and to seek immediate medical attention if stung.

The jelly fish first appeared in early July, but have since reappeared, in large quantities

This particular species of jelly fish are known as the Mauve Stinger, which can deliver a painful sting

Washed-up jelly fish in Puerto Banus, Marbella are causing a lot of pain and bother for holiday makers during the busiest time of the year