Young seal makes itself at home on beach at Seaham

The female pop caught the attention of people walking on the beach after first being spotted there on Tuesday morning.

Photographer Lee Tuck, from Seaham, captured these pictures of the young seal at about 8am on Tuesday.

It remained there until Wednesday afternoon, when it was picked up by representatives of the British Divers Marine Life Rescue and taken to a vet to have superficial wounds treated.

It was later released back into the sea.

Mr Tuck said: “It was just sitting there in the middle of the sand. I’ve since heard that it was still there last night.

“I’ve heard of seals being there in the past, but this is the first time I have seen one.

“I just approached it to get a couple of photos, but I didn’t go too close to make sure I didn’t disturb it.”

Seals are safe out of the water, and usually go back into the sea when they are hungry, according to the British Divers Marine Life Rescue.

A spokesman said: “The seal was checked over on Tuesday and is absolutely fine, and it was still in the area on Wednesday morning.

“It was picked up on Wednesday afternoon, taken to a local vet and treated before being released back into the sea.

“It was given antibiotics and had superficial wounds treated.”