AN EMACIATED seal was rescued after it was spotted being thrown about in the sea and struggling to get ashore.

The alarm was raised by passers by when they saw the animal in difficulties near the Boardwalk at Sovereign Harbour, Eastbourne.

They contacted East Sussex Wildlife Rescue and Ambulance Service (WRAS) amid concerns about it being in distress.

WRAS rescuers Trevor Weeks and Chris Riddington searched the shore on Friday and saw the seal, which was seriously underweight, being thrown about in the waves.

The pair attempted to contain the seal and at one point even ended up in the sea themselves but it was impossible to get to and the animal eventually disappeared with hopes of rescuing it fading.

Mr Weeks said: “It was very frustrating as the seal clearly was too weak to climb up the shingle out of the surf and kept returning to the water.

“We just couldn’t get close enough quickly enough to catch it.”

The rescuers were eventually forced to call it a day after the seal was seen hitting one of the groynes hard and then floating out to sea and out of sight.

It was feared the animal had died.

However shortly afterwards the WRAS got another call to say the seal had been spotted just inside the harbour.

Mr Weeks and Mr Riddington once again rushed down and this time the seal was further up the beach.

They were able walk along the shoreline, blocking the seal’s escape route back to the water.

Mr Riddington managed to put a net over the seal while Mr Weeks was able to restrain and secure it.

They then examined the animal on the beach and it was found to be very underweight and very cold.

After contacting British Divers Marine Life Rescue and the RSPCA, the WRAS took the animal straight to RSPCA Mallydams Wood in Hastings, which has specialist facilities to handle seals.

It will be cared for there before being returned to the wild.