Last updated at 19:31, Thursday, 16 February 2012

A animal rescue volunteer was called to Workington this week after reports of people hurling stones at a seal.

The seal, believed to be around a year old, was briefly stranded in the river near Navvies Bridge on Tuesday afternoon when the tide went out.

Lynn Trusell, of the British Divers Marine Life Rescue, was called to the scene by police, who had been alerted by a young man.

She and a police officer waited to see the seal swim off safely.

She said: “It was absolutely fine, there was nothing wrong with it.

“We see them in the area from time to time. They tend to sit on a rock and wait for the tide to come up.

“The young man called police after he saw people throwing stones at it.”

Lynn said there were a few common seals which thrived on a good supply of fish around the Solway Firth.

She said: “We have dolphins, seals – common seals and grey ones the other side of the Solway – and leatherback turtles.”

l What sea life have you seen off the West Cumbrian coast? Tell us or send your photos in to news.ts@cnmedia.co.uk

First published at 19:21, Thursday, 16 February 2012
Published by http://www.timesandstar.co.uk