An injured seal pup has been rescued from Margate harbour.

The distressed animal was saved while hundreds of spectators gathered on the prom and around the harbour yesterday afternoon.

It was taken away for treatment by the British Divers Marine Life Rescue as the drama unfolded at just after 2pm.

The alarm was raised by KM Group senior reporter Lowri Stafford, who was on the harbour arm with friends.

Lowri said: "The tide was out and the seal was clearly in difficulty on the mud.

"As the tide came in quickly, it tried to move away from the water, eventually ending up on a little island, before heading for the shore near the slipway.

"It was flipping about on its back and moving really slowly, clearly in distress with an injury to its side, so it couldn't go back into the sea."

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She added: "The tide was coming in fast, so it moved away from the water and into the path of lots of people, who were taking photos and pouring water on it.

"A council worker turned up with a bin bag and litter picker - I think someone had reported it as dead.

"I called the British Divers Marine Life Rescue, who arrived about an hour later, caged it and took it away for treatment."

Video: A stranded seal pup is rescued from Margate beach