A SEAL rescued off the coast of Broadstairs has been released back into the wild.

The creature has been fed on a diet of frozen fish and, weighing approximately 35 kilos which is twice its weight upon capture, swam free just off the coast of Rye after recuperating at the RSPCA centre at Mallydams Wood, near Hastings.

Viking Bay inspector Tom Phillips first reported the seal in September when it was pulled to safety by a team of experts from the Thanet Coast Project and the British Divers Marine Life Rescue, Kent.

After its rescue, the harbour or common seal was diagnosed by vets to have a selection of different health problems including lungworm, pox, mouth ulcers and breathing difficulties.

Thanet Coast Project officer Tony Child said: "This has been a real success story. When we rescued the seal he was extremely underweight and unhealthy but thanks to a speedy recovery she has now been released unharmed back into the wild where she belongs.

"Unbeknown to most people, colonies of both common and grey seals live just a few miles off the coast of Thanet. These popular mammals prosper from the shelter of nearby sandbanks and they are regularly spotted frolicking in the surf closer to shore.

"It’s a sad fact that the recovery rate for rescued mammals is so low but this story really shows that great things can happen at sea."

Fact file:

*The Thanet Coast Project runs a programme of coastal wardens who look after the surrounding beaches from Sandwich Bay to Reculver.

*More than 70 volunteer wardens assist the project by reporting on a range of issues including litter, pollution as well as recording the different types of wildlife found on our beaches.