WARNINGS have been issued about caterpillars which can cause an allergic reaction if touched by members of the public.

Signs have been erected at coastal locations including Hengistbury Head in Bournemouth urging people to keep away from the Brown Tail Moth caterpillars.

They have left their nests to feed on vegetation before they cocoon themselves and emerge as harmless white moths.

The warning signs have been put in place by BCP Council and community and recreation team leader Gary Foyle said: “Brown Tail Moths are a native species to the UK, inhabiting areas near the coast as well as inland.

“They lay eggs in dense silk nests within the vegetation around the coastline, and hatch into small caterpillars which then hibernate inside the nests through the winter. During this time we carry out sensitive environmental management techniques to try to control their numbers, however around May or June, depending on the weather, the caterpillars leave the nest to feed on the vegetation.”

He said the council tries to limit their interaction with people, warning them not to touch the caterpillars due to the brownish hairs that can break off and cause irritation to anyone coming into contact with them.

He added: “During this period we also work closely with our Public Health team to monitor the situation. The caterpillars usually feed for around three weeks before entering the pupation phase of their life cycle, when they briefly cocoon themselves and then emerge as harmless moths.”

Last year there were several reports of incidents involving the caterpillars near the beach, particularly in the Southbourne area.

Grandmother-of-six Jean Parker told how she had been suffering from a rash for more than a week and said she and her family had been unable to use her beach hut, near the Bistro on the Beach.

She told the Daily Echo: “The rash is terrible and the last time the caterpillars were this bad my whole family was ill.”

Beach hut owner ad childminder Sarah Phillips said she was worried about taking her children to the beach.

Anyone with health concerns has been urged to seek advice from the NHS on 111 or their GP.