A MYSTERIOUS item washed up on Weymouth Beach today – bringing a terrible stench with it.

Residents first spotted a white mass floating in the water opposite Brunswick Terrace in the morning.

Staff from Dorset Waste Partnership attended the scene working together with the borough council.

A white DWP van was then used to drag the item further along the beach, so it could be removed.

Dorset Echo:

A DWP spokesman said: "A DWP Cleansing Team have attended what was reported as a barrel on Weymouth Beach. The item had been at sea for some time and was in a poor condition. The substance inside the barrel had a soapy texture and oily odour. The Environmental Protection Team were happy there were no public health issues.

“The object has been removed using specialist equipment, and will be disposed of via DWP’s specialist contractor.”

Residents speculated whether the item was a ‘fatberg’ due to its strong, unpleasant smell which permeated the area. A fatberg is a congealed mass of non-biodegradable material, usually found in sewers.

Spencer Rowland, 69, from Yeovil, said: “It may have come out of a whale’s mouth. Nothing could swallow that.

“It’s got that greasy smell, like you would expect in a chip shop.

“They dragged it up from the water. It certainly is unusual.”

Another resident, who wished to remain anonymous, said he saw the mysterious item floating in the water close to Aunty Vi’s café at around 8am.

He added: “It had been floating in the water since the morning. My dogs love it, they keep trying to eat it.”

He had to pull them away from it.

Another resident who wished to remain anonymous said she had smelt something ‘very unpleasant’ and was later told it was coming from the mysterious item.

Sarah Allard from Sherborne said: “I think it’s jetsam, thrown overboard from a cargo ship, which has been barrelled up.”

Council warning

Meanwhile, the borough council has warned dog owners not to get too close to the area where the item was found.

Cllr Mike Byatt, Weymouth and Portland Borough Council spokesman for community safety said; “We are aware that an object has washed up on Weymouth Beach. Our Environmental Health and beach officers are working alongside Dorset Waste Partnership to ensure it is removed safely and have installed precautionary signage around the area. Initial indications are that is not toxic to humans, however please be advised to keep dogs away from the direct location and wash hands and clothing with soap and water if you come into contact with it.”