Test tubes with Tryptone washed up between Gwithian and Riviera Downs
A large quantity of test tubes with a liquid inside have washed up on Cornish beaches, the coastguard has said.
Falmouth Coastguard said about 140 glass tubes about 5ins (12.7cm) long with red lids had been washed up between Gwithian and Riviera Downs.
The Health Protection Agency said the substance in the glass phials was Tryptone, a protein based growing medium used in microbiology.
It added Tryptone was not hazardous to public health.
Falmouth Coastguard said it was working with the French coastguard to identify where the test tubes had come from and Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service is also involved.
It added that all tubes that had been found had been removed from the beaches, which includes Godrevy near Hayle, but urged people to contact the coastguard if any others were found.