People gather on Southsea beach to try to save stranded starfish

Many responded to posts on social media asking for help after a multitude of the creatures were left marooned.

Many were dead but people went to the beach to help starfish that might have survived the ordeal. Experts say that they can live up to five days out of water.

One of the first people on the scene was Tina Victoria Dalby who said on Facebook that the tide was high and she hoped many of the creatures would have been washed back out to sea.

The effort drew appreciation, with Angie Gamblin commenting: ‘I hope lots of people can help them.’