Marine experts predict that giant jellyfish spotted off the Dorset coast will attract turtles to the area.

The jellyfish which measure up to three feet across have been seen along the county's shores including sightings in Portland harbour.

Now experts are confident that leatherback turtles will arrive shortly to feed on the species, rhizostoma, which have solid, milky-coloured bodies and short stumpy legs.

Hilary Loy, a jellyfish technician at Weymouth Sealife Park, said: "This is the perfect time of the year to see jellyfish due to the fact they are breeding. It is great that rhizostoma have been spotted in our waters

"The species is common to other stretches of British water, but it is it rare to see such large jellyfish arriving off the Dorset coastline. It may suggest that the jellyfish are breeding better off the south coast, and the sighting of turtles in the future will not be a surprise."

Sightings of the gentle giants have been noted off Cornwall and Poole.

Peter Tinsley, of the Purbeck Marine Wildlife Reserve believes the arrival of the jellyfish indicates a change in south coast waters.

"A better quality of water and current could contribute to the jellyfish coming to our shores for the first time in a decade."

Mr Tinsley, who has been a warden for nine years, is excited by the prospect of having turtles in Dorset. Leatherback turtles are not common to our coast, but the arrival of the giant jellyfish could change this. A turtle has already been sighted off Cornwall, and a good jellyfish year is often a good turtle year."

Mr Tinsley wants to urge people who sight giant jellyfish or turtles to contact the Dorset Wildlife Trust on (01305) 264620.