Seal surprise for Saturday shoppers

A visiting seal provided an unexpected treat for Christmas shoppers in a coastal town.

Amateur photographer Emma Duguid snapped the seal as it swam near the quayside in Lymington, Hampshire, on Saturday.

Ms Duguid, a 43-year-old shop worker from Mudeford, Dorset, said she
photographed the seal for the best part of an hour as it swam around yachts and fishing boats moored near the town centre.

The Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust is involved in a project aimed at finding out more about seals living in the Solent area.

It says about 50 harbour seals live in the area, and grey seals sometimes also pass through.