A young harbour seal that was spotted in Belfast with a drinks can lodged in its mouth has been assisted by Scottish military police.

The seal had been spotted with the can in its mouth in Belfast Harbour earlier this month.

Over the weekend military police at a base in Clyde were able to approach the seal and remove the Red Bull can from its lower jaw.

A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: “MoD Police Clyde Marine Unit officers freed this animal in distress and would urge people to take extra care in how they dispose of their rubbish near any waterway.”

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Earlier in the month there were unsuccessful attempts to help the seal by the Lagan Search and Rescue Team, working with police, Belfast Independent Lifeboat and charity Debbie Doolittle’s Wild Life along with specialists from Exploris Aquarium Seal Sanctuary.

The seal was spotted in Belfast with the can in its mouth last Friday.

Scottish military police come to the rescue as they free seal with drinks can stuck in mouth