STRANGE and ‘alien-looking’ seafood which could be worth ‘thousands of pounds’ washed up on the beach during the weekend. 

John Jennings, a local photographer who found the strange-looking object near Boscombe Pier while out walking, said it “came out of the sea during the storm” and he “thought it was pretty cool”. 

Experts at Bournemouth University say the mysterious object is in fact goose barnacles “hitching a ride on a large log”.  

Goose barnacles live out at sea and are usually only seen on the coast when they drift in, such as this one, or when they’re attached to ships.

READ MORE: Walrus spotted on Calshot beach

Goose barnacles, a type of crustacean, have a long fleshy stem that looks like a black neck, which is topped with a chalky white shell that houses the main body of the barnacle. 

Related to crabs and lobsters, goose barnacles are considered a delicacy to certain countries and can be sold for up to £80 a kilo. 

The log, though it looks large in the image, is only one metre long or “about the length of a leg”, according to photographer John Jennings. 

It is believed the goose barnacles washed up during the recent stormy weather. 

A message from the Editor

Thank you for reading this article - we appreciate your support in reading the Daily Echo.

Subscribing to the Echo means you have unrestricted access to the latest news, features and Saints coverage - all with an advertising-light website.

You will also have full access to Saintsplus, your new home for Southampton FC tactical analysis, features and much, much more.

Don't just take my word for it - subscribe today.

Follow the latest breaking news in the Southampton area by searching Southampton News - Breaking News and Incidents on Facebook

Follow the latest court and crime news on our dedicated group by searching Hampshire Court and Crime News on Facebook