Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy noticeHundreds of exotic-looking sea creatures have washed up on beaches in northwest England after being driven there by westerly winds. Beachgoers in Cumbria stopped to photograph the raft of animals, known as “by-the-wind sailors”, that appeared along St Bees beach. The creatures are closely related to the Portuguese man o' war, but at only about 2ins long they are smaller. “When conditions are right, particularly after periods of persistent onshore winds, thousands can be washed up along our shores,” she said.