A week-old baby seal weighing 9kg had to be rescued after washing up on Leysdown beach.

The crew from Kent Wildlife Rescue Service responded to reports the animal was being attacked by seagulls near The Promenade in Leysdown, Sheppey, on Tuesday evening.

Volunteers Lorraine St John, Helen and Jan Hooper were joined by the British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) to take the animal to safety.

Lorraine said: "I'm a medic for the BDMLR so I was on my way there anyway.

"He was being attacked by seagulls after staying on the shore when the tide went out.

"We had to make a welfare call and decide if we waited until the tide came back in and he swam back out, or if we took him to see a vet.

"The beach was so busy that we decided it would be best for him to be taken away.

"When they're released again, seals are usually good at finding their way back."

The seal was eventually taken to the RSPCA's wildlife centre, Mallydams Wood, near Hastings.

The centre has specialist equipment for the rehabilitation of sealife, including pools.

A BDMLR spokesman said: "When the seal was retrieved, he weighed about 9kg and had probably been separated from his mother for a couple of days.

"He was lethargic and fatigued as well as stressed after an encounter with seagulls and members of the public.

"Our advice to anyone who might find a seal on the beach is to give it lots of space, keep quiet and make sure dogs are away from the area.

"It will avoid distressing it any further as it might be there because its exhausted or ill."

Members of the public have also been warned not to pick up the animals in the hope they can be returned to the sea, as that can also cause anxiety.

The creature had to be given rehydration fluids on the beach before being taken to the RSPCA unit.

Kent Wildlife Rescue Service has launched an emergency fundraising appeal after its events were cancelled. Visit www.tinyurl.com/KentWildlife to donate.

Just yesterday another adorable seal pup had to be rescued after getting stuck between rocks at low tide.

The young pup was found after a family's dog picked up its scent on a beach in Folkestone and it was also taken to Mallydams Wood to be checked over and recuperate.

Escaped animals, unusual finds and news from the RSPCA can all be found here

Read more: All the latest news from Sheppey