THE beach at Cwmtydu was closed after a foul smelling substance was washed onto the foreshore on Tuesday.

Fire officers, police, Environment Agency and council workers all attended the incident after lumps of a yellow waxy substance were brought in on the tide.

Ceredigion County Council environmental health staff took the material away for analysis. Warning signs were placed on the beachfront to advise visitors not to handle the substance if found and not to use the beach until further notice.

The county council says that similar deposits have recently been found on beaches in Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire.

"The material found in Cwmtydu appears to be vegetable fat in an advanced stage of decomposition. Steps are now being taken to analyse the material further," said a spokeswoman.

Visitors to Ceredigion beaches are being asked not to handle the substance if further deposits are found. Any such incidents should be reported to Ceredigion County Council on (01545) 572572 or 572105.

11:04am Thursday 27th March 2008

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