A seal thought to be less than two weeks old was rescued from Deal beach.

Voluntary marine animal rescue organisation British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) were alerted to the pup after a call from a concerned member of the public about 11am yesterday.

Experienced medic Jez Stone, 56, travelled from his home in Westgaste to conduct the rescue, opposite the Coastguard station towards the north end of the town.

Keen to see the animal - which had no signs of injury - re-united with its mum, he waited at the scene for almost four hours.

But the youngster became stressed and dehydrated in the heat, prompting a call from his superiors to collect it.

He said: "There's quite a large seal colony in the Stour mouth. There's a number of possibilities as to what could have happened.

"The pup may have wandered away from its mum, got lost and become exhausted or it's mum may have abandoned it."

The seal still had its umbilicus attached leading Mr Stone to predict it was no more than two weeks old.

It was taken to Burnham Vets in Dover for rehydration and then onto Mallydams Wood RSPCA centre in Hastings.

Mr Stone said: "I have no doubt that it will be okay."

He has strongly advised people not to pick up seals due to the risks.

If you see a marine animal in need of help, call the Coastguard on 999 or BDMLR directly on 01825 765546.