Dog owners are urged to be on high alert for potentially deadly palm oil being washed up on beaches.

The latest sighting of a mound of the congealed oil was spotted at Drigg over the weekend.

Owners whose pets have previously eaten the substance and have seen first-hand the devastating results, are now advising other dog walkers to be vigilant.

Nicki Wyatt's 11-month-old dog picked up what she believed to be a lump of palm oil two months ago while walking on Seascale beach.

Luckily, Nicki knew what the oil looked like and immediately rushed her dog, Cheddar, to the vets.

Nicki, and her husband Chris, were given a number of options to treat the beagle, springer spaniel cross.

They decided on an injection to induce vomiting to clear her stomach.

"She then spent about 30 minutes in a back room at the vets being sick, time and time again," she said. "She was feeling very sorry for herself by this point."

Cheddar had to be monitored at home throughout the night as liver and kidney failure is possible in dogs after eating palm oil.

"I slept on the sofa with her that night so she could tell me if something was wrong," said Nicki. "By morning she was back to her crazy, silly self again."

Nicki now wants other pet owners to be careful, and if they do suspect their dog has picked the oil up to rush them to the vets straight away.

Just before Christmas, 12-year-old Staffordshire bull terrier Leo also ate what is thought to be the oil – this time at St Bees. He spent one night and two days at the vets.

His owner, Heather brown, also wants others to be cautious.

"Leo is fine now thankfully," she said, "but the outcome could of been very different."

Palm oil is an edible vegetable oil derived from palms and used in processed foods, toiletries and as a biofuel.

Although not toxic, it is dangerous to dogs.

Ships use it as a tank cleaning agent, meaning it can get in the sea and has been found on beaches along the Cumbrian coast.