Felixstowe seal left choking in tangled fishing net for 30 hours saved by member of the public

A seal which was left choking after being tangled in a fishing net for 30 hours has been saved by a member of the public.

The mammal was seen struggling on the shore in Felixstowe on Saturday morning.

A member of the public phoned the RSPCA after seeing its neck strangled by the discarded green netting.

Volunteers from marine charity British Divers Marine Life Rescue arrived at the scene on Saturday morning to help the seal but it had gone too far back out to sea.

The distressed seal made a reappearance on the beach on Sunday afternoon, but before returning back to the sea, a member of the public covered it with a blanket and cut it free.

Onlooker Ian Pope, 49, said: "I was out for a walk on Saturday morning, I am a photographer so had my wildlife set up with me and came across the Rescues look for the seal.

"I spotted it and kept my distance to let the Rescues to do their job but it was made difficult by the public going on the beach and scaring the seal back out to sea.

"Luckily on Sunday the seal came back to shore and was rescued.

"That's the best result you can ask for."

A video of the seal galloping back to sea after being cut free was uploaded on social media with locals praising volunteers' efforts.

Facebook user Lynn Murphy wrote: "I'm so pleased this beautiful seal has been saved. Thank god."

Millie Minns added: "Great news well done all those involved your heroes. Again our world impacts on innocent wildlife."

British Divers Marine Life Rescue has been contacted for comment.

Read more: All the latest news from Suffolk

Read more: All the latest news from Felixstowe