by Martin Jefferies

mjefferies@thekmgroup.co.uk

Extreme weather is believed to have caused the deaths of thousands of crabs in Thanet for the second year running.

So many velvet swimming crabs - or devil crabs, as they are commonly known - have been washed up in Westbrook Bay over the last week that beach users have struggled to see the sand in places.

Tens of thousands of creatures were wiped out in a similarly cold snap last January, sparking an investigation by the Environment Agency amid fears a mystery virus could be to blame.

The latest discovery was made by Tony Sykes, a volunteer coastal warden who monitors marine life and coastal activity on the outskirts of Margate.

The 65-year-old, who lives in Westbrook, said: "After the incident last year and the subsequent tests by the Environment Agency, we've been keeping a close eye on the situation.

"I'd say that several thousand crabs have been washed up this year, mostly in the Westbrook area and along to St Mildred's Bay.

"The deaths have almost certainly been caused by the chilly weather, rather than pollution or disease."

All Thanet coastal wardens have been put on alert in case the deaths are more widespread or in greater numbers than expected.

However, a spokesperson for the Environment Agency shared Mr Sykes' view that the incident was caused by an entirely natural phenomenon.

She said: "Our marine biologists have told us that the deaths are caused by the weather. We've seen many species starting to live closer to the seashore but in doing so, they're more prone to the effects of the cold.

"Our investigation found no obvious cause, such as disease, for the deaths in 2009. The crab population seemed to recover by the summer and there is no reason for that not to happen again this year."

For full story, see this week's Thanet Extra, out on Wednesday January 13