Islanders have been warned to keep their distance from seals after a sighting at Minster.

Sheppey coastguards were called on Sunday morning following reports of a seal pup on the beach, where a small crowd had gathered - some of whom were too close and had dogs with them.

Rescue officer Ian Goodwin said seals are curious animals that will often swim up to a boat to see what is happening, but he warned people not to approach seals on beaches because they can be dangerous and sometimes appear dead when they are sleeping.

He said: "If the seal is a pup, you might drive the mother away.

"Dogs should not be taken near a seal - in the mad rush for the safety of the water, pups may be injured or even killed.

"Seals are wild animals and they bite. Seal bites often become infected and are slow to heal."

He said they also carry diseases and organisms, which can cause illness in humans.

"Marine mammals have been shown to carry many of the pathogens we associate with food poisoning, such as e.coli, salmonella, and listeria," said Mr Goodwin.

"Like other wildlife, seals carry the protozoan (parasite), giardia, in their faeces.

"Giardia lives in your gut and will cause diarrhoea, excess gas, stomach or abdominal cramps, upset stomach, and nausea - the resulting dehydration and nutritional loss requires immediate treatment.

"I personally was infected with this parasite in Russia once and I can assure you it's not very nice to have!"

Other conditions include "seal finger", seal pox, leptospirosis, or Weil's disease.

Mr Goodwin added: "Seals have one of the worst bites in the animal kingdom. The bacteria in their saliva, on their breath, on their teeth and on their gums are built up because of the fish and other sea life they eat.

"Their teeth are extremely sharp and the bite itself is terrible and will tear the flesh badly.

"The infection which would result could require amputation of the infected area - you have been warned!"