More on KentOnline
More on KentOnline
Elvis, Twiggy, Madonna, Pele - there are some whose fame is so great they require just the one name.
But while we're not putting Maidstone's favourite semi-aquatic mammal in quite the same A-list bracket, Bradley the seal has certainly become a much-loved fixture on our stretch of the River Medway.
Ever since the loveable creature appeared upstream of Allington Lock at the start of April, passers-by have delighted in watching Bradley, who's actually a girl, frolic in the water or sun herself on the riverside in the County Town.
Sadly, however, Bradley's presence in this stretch of the waterway - endearing as it has been - was also a result of her being somewhat stranded in the non-tidal section of the river.
Between her and the tidal waters wending their way to the Thames Estuary stood Allington Lock.
Rescue attempts were launched, and all failed to free Bradley to the stretch downstream. It seemed all that could be done was to warn the good folk of the town to keep their distance and allow our whiskery pal to continue to enjoy the delights of Maidstone in springtime.
But, in the end, nature finds a way. And Bradley has now made a break for it, swimming headlong into the lock and setting a course for the open sea - all with a little help from our friends at the Environment Agency (EA).
"The Upper Medway Navigation Team were very pleased to assist Bradley the seal through Allington lock last weekend," an EA spokesman said.
"After Bradley surprised us all by clambering into the lock it became obvious the seal was keen to leave the non-tidal Medway, so we took swift action to ensure that the seal did not become trapped between the lock gates which are currently undergoing a £1.4m refurbishment project.
"Our framework contractors, Volker Stevin, were able to help us by quickly attending site so that the lock gates could be opened to convey our unexpected visitor downstream."
Allington Lock reopens to boaters today after a long period of closure while the EA carried out maintenance work.
Escaped animals, unusual finds and news from the RSPCA can all be found here.
