A dehydrated seal pup with huge abscesses and bite wounds on her body has been rescued from a Kent beach.

The animal was found on Kingsgate Bay in Broadstairs at 9am yesterday, and was taken to RSPCA Mallydams in Hastings for treatment.

Marine medic Sheila Stone, who was on the scene half an hour later, says the creature's wounds could have been inflicted by another seal.

"We saw that the female pup had a huge abscess," she told KentOnline.

"She was about two to three months old and weighed 18 kilograms."

The seal has since been given veterinary care at Mallydams. Staff at the RSPCA centre have named her Triceratops.

Ms Stone hopes the animal "will make a full recovery", at which point she will be released into the wild.

Mallydams wildlife assistant Ashleigh Peters said: “Triceratops is being tube fed on fish soup.

"She is being treated with antibiotics and once she has rehydrated, she will also receive pain relief.

"The hope is Triceratops will recover well with us so that she can be rehabilitated and returned to the wild, where she belongs."

Ms Stone is urging dog owners to keep their pets far away from any stricken seals they pass on a beach.

She says anyone who finds one should call the British Divers Marine Life Rescue on 01825 765546.