Sick seal put to sleep on beach

The sick seal was spotted on the beach by local residents

A 7ft adult grey male seal has had to be put to sleep by rescuers after it was spotted on the beach at Cuckmere Haven, near Seaford in East Sussex.

A team from the British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) were called to the scene by residents on Friday where they found the seal in obvious distress.

Spokesman Trevor Weeks said it had clearly not eaten for some time, and its breathing seemed to be laboured.

After consulting with vets a decision was taken to put it down, he said.

Seaford BDMLR medic Kevin Harlow said experts who examined the animal following its death found it had a skin condition round its neck with cracking sores.

He said the seal was obviously very old as its teeth were very well worn.

Mr Weeks added: "We were all disappointed that we could not do anything for this mature seal but felt relieved that it was no longer suffering and wasn't going to spend the next few days slowly dying."