Orphaned seals found on beaches

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The seals have been found on beaches along the length of the North Sea coast.

A seal rescue centre has been inundated with pups abandoned on Lincolnshire, Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex beaches.

The RSPCA centre in north Norfolk said it will treat and feed the pups until they can be released back into the sea.

Andrea Smith for the RSPCA said the centre had space for 70 pups but they were now caring for 56, which is the level normally seen in February.

Bad weather has resulted in parents abandoning seal pups who later become diseased, injured or very hungry.

Ms Smith said: "We are concerned about the large numbers of orphaned seals at this time of year because we know there will be more arriving in February.

"We have a limited amount of space and also the seals need feeding about every three hours so they get fit enough for us to release them back into the wild."