A warning to dog owners to beware of a substance washed up on Thanet's beaches this week has been lifted.

The substance was believed to be palm oil, which can be toxic to animals if eaten.

But Thanet District Council say that the substance was non-harmful whelk egg cases.

A Facebook post by Thanet District Council this morning said: "Precautionary signs which were erected around Thanet’s coastline following suspected deposits of palm oil have now been taken down and advice to beach users has been lifted.

"Earlier this week the council had advised the public to keep dogs on a lead as palm oil can be toxic to animals if eaten.

"Following monitoring of the coastline, council officers have confirmed that the beaches are clear and also that on inspection most reported sightings were actually non-harmful whelk egg cases rather than deposits of palm oil."