Baby seal released back into wild

RSPCA officers are not sure how the seal pup ended up four miles inland

A seal pup mysteriously found in a country lane in Lancashire has been released back into the sea.

The male common seal was spotted in November near the village of Capernwray, near Carnforth, Lancashire, by a farmer's wife and her daughter.

He was originally nicknamed Sid, but RSPCA staff who cared for him at the Stapeley Grange Wildlife Centre near Nantwich in Cheshire called him Ghost.

Ghost was released near Hilbre Island, off the Wirral coast, on Saturday.

RSPCA animal collection officer John Littlewood said: "It was a fantastic sight to see Ghost released back in his natural habitat.

Ghost was released near Hilbre Island, off the Wirral coast

"He was found a few miles up the coast in Lancashire, but we released him in the Wirral because there is a healthy colony of grey and common seals.

"We wanted to get him back into the wild as soon as possible as he was healthy and showing a great appetite for herring.

"It was important that he didn't become too tame and hopefully he will thrive in the wild and will not wander back onto land."

RSPCA officers are still not certain how the seal pup found its way four miles inland, but one theory is that he could have swum up the River Lune through Lancaster.

The animal charity urged members of the public never to pick up seal pups, but to call them for assistance.