Thousands of sea creatures are washing up on beaches in the North East of England in 'waist-deep' mountains with fears pollution could be to blame.
Dead and alive crabs, lobsters and other crustaceans are continuing to wash up on the sand along the Teeside coast, between Marske and Saltburn, and local residents are calling it the 'worst' they've ever seen.
They have also been seen along the coastline in Seaton Carew and further North at Seaham.
The Environment Agency confirmed on Monday that it has launched an investigation into the mysterious occurrence, and find out if high emissions are to blame.
Fears pollution could be to blame as mountains of sea creatures wash up on North East beaches (Pictured), between Marske and Saltburn, and Seaton Carew and further North at Seaham
Dead and alive crabs, lobsters and other crustaceans are continuing to wash up on the sand in 'waist-deep' mountains
The Environment Agency confirmed on Monday that it has launched an investigation into the mysterious occurrence, and find out if high emissions are to blame
Marske resident Sharon Bell, who walks the stretch of beach near her home every day, said the numbers of creatures have steadily increased over the past two weeks.
She was out early on Monday morning photographing the sunrise with her husband Christopher. When the pair arrived at the beach they were horrified to find huge piles of dead and alive crabs and lobsters littered across it.
'They spent the next four hours trying to return any live ones they could find back into the water.
'I have been along my usual walk from Marske to Saltburn and was utterly shocked and saddened to see in some parts, waist deep seaweed full of thousands of dead and alive crabs and lobsters, all kinds and species,' said Mrs Bell, 48.
'I have never seen anything like this.
'My husband and I have
