MORE sea birds have washed up long Devon's coastline, covered in a sticky substance.

The incident comes after hundreds of the creatures were found caked in a similar, oily goo on England's south coast at the end of January.

Some 30 guillemots have been transferred the the RSPCA West Hatch wildlife centre in Taunton, which dealt with more than 300 birds during the last incident.

On arrival, the birds’ condition will be assessed by staff and if fit enough, they will be stabilised before any attempt is made to wash the sticky oily chemical from their feathers.

Five birds transferred to West Hatch last night were in an extremely poor condition and were put to sleep to end their suffering.

There is still no indication whether this is a new pollution incident or not.