Clyde Coastguard have put out a warning over phosphorus flares found washed up on a beach near Torrylinn farm on the south coast of the Isle of Arran.

More than 31 cylinders have been found along the shore all of them described as waxy in texture and smelling of cetaline.

The Explosive Ordnance Disposal team from the nearby nuclear submarine base, Faslane, have been called in to dispose of the flares.

Coastguard officer Stuart Atkinson said: ‘These flares are unstable after prolonged immersion in salt water. They can spontaneously ignite and cause severe burns.’