Seal found stranded in a Merseyside field

A seal sits in a farmer's field in St Helen's. Picture: PA

Police said a dog walker reported to them that she had seen the animal on land in Newton-le-Willows, near St Helens, Merseyside, at about 9.45am today.

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The seal has since been contained by officers, with conservation experts en route to the location, but police warned members of the public to stay away for their own safety.

In a statement, Merseyside Police said: “Police in St Helens were called at around 9.45 this morning by a dog walker, reporting that she’d seen what appeared to be a seal in the middle of a field in the St Helens area.

“Police have contained the seal and representatives from the British Diver Marine Life Rescue Service are making their way to the scene.

“Seals are powerful animals and potentially dangerous. Police are advising the public to stay away from the area.”

It is thought the animal may somehow have arrived in the field from the estuary of the River Mersey which starts at Runcorn.

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