AN ADORABLE seal was spotted swimming off Brighton beach yesterday.

Lily Pichon was walking along the seafront between the Palace Pier and Brighton Marina with her family at about noon when she spotted a shape in the water.

At first she was unsure what it could be, thinking that it was perhaps a dog taking a dip in the chilly January water.

But is soon became clear this was not the case.

The 22-year-old said: "We were walking along the seafront when we saw it just off Madeira Drive. It was quite close to the shore.

"It looked like it could be a dog which had gone for a swim, but then it went under the water for ages.

"That was when we realised it was a seal."

The Argus: The seal popping its head above the water off Brighton beach Credit: Lily PichonThe seal popping its head above the water off Brighton beach Credit: Lily Pichon

The seal swam a bit further from the shore, but Lily was able to capture the inquisitive animal on camera as it popped its head above the water's surface, not far from a nearby paddleboarder.

Lily said it was "amazing" to sea the seal in the sea off Brighton beach, particularly as she and her family had just finished a period in isolation at their home in the Preston Park area.

"It was the first day I had left the house," she said.

"So it was amazing to be able to see it.

"It was on its own, and really large - I think it was a grey seal."