A FRIENDLY face has popped up on a west Dorset beach - but the message is for people to observe from a distance and not get too close.

A young grey seal, believed to be 'Sammy' who has been a regular visitor to Weymouth Beach over the past year, appeared on Hive Beach, Burton Bradstock, taking an opportunity to lay in the sun and have a rest.

Bridport resident Jenny Stewart-Ackroyd saw the seal on Sunday.

She said: "He was very relaxed and just moved away when the sea would get too close. He seemed happy to sunbathe in the morning sun.

"My mum had already called up (conservation group) Divers Marine Life Rescue so we sat by him whilst we waited for them to come.

She added: "It was definitely a lovely start to my day."

A spokesperson for the Divers Marine Life Rescue confirmed a member of the team went to Hive Beach to check on the seal.

They said they were aware of this particular seal - adding that he was friendly and had even been known to hop on to people's paddleboards over the summer.

The spokesperson said: "It was a seal we were already aware of. It is a young grey seal who has been in the area for around a year.

"We attended for observation purposes just to check it was in fact the seal we thought it was. He's been sighted around the Weymouth area a lot over the past year.

"He is very friendly and used to people. However, our advice is still for people to observe him from a distance and not to get too close."

The Seal Project, Cornwall Seal Group Research Trust and British Divers Marine Life Rescue have issued a joint statement, asking people to keep their distance from the seal. 

They say it is important to keep dogs on a lead around him and the group says the worst thing you can do is feed him - as this could change his behaviour for life. Residents are urged not to take any pictures with the seal and to instead observe him from a distance. The group also warned that like all seals, it will bite if it feels threatened.

The group said: "It is not possible to take a selfie with this young seal without negatively impacting his health and wellbeing, especially as it role models bad behaviour to other copycats.

"Grey seals are wild predators with big dog-like teeth and communicable diseases. They will suddenly defend themselves if they feel threatened and should not be approached and never touched in any way.

"Please leave him well alone and give him a wide berth. At the very least he will be stressed, even if not obviously visible. If we don’t, we are increasing the chances of injury and death through energy loss or habituation.

"This seal needs us all to be the ‘grown up’ and do the right thing."