DORSET Police have warned people to keep their distance from any seals they may see along the county’s coastline following a recent sighting.

The county’s rural wildlife and heritage crime unit said residents and visitors alike should ‘give all marine wildlife space’.

This comes in light of a grey seal spotted off the coast of the county by photographer Peter Swatton.

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Dorset’s Rural Wildlife and Heritage Crime Team warned people that disturbance, ‘not just chasing them off,’ but ‘just being too close to where they rest or feed can have serious consequences’.

Disturbance can be caused when people are too close, too visible or making too much noise.

The UK is home to both grey seals and common seals who need to rest on land to digest, socialise and feed their pups.

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If one of the marine creatures is spotted making a big splash ‘crash dive’ it can be a sign they are distressed.

Further information about protecting seals and their habitats can be found via the Seal Alliance website.