Seal rescued by Friends of Horsey Seals at Waxham beach

Rachel Rickett was completing her annual Waxham to Horsey walk to see the seals when she met a group of photographers along the way.

She explained: "We were all trying to photograph a Purple Sandpiper when we first heard the seal's little cries. 

The pup was discovered by a group of photographers (Image: Rachel Rickett)

"I decided there was no way I could leave the little thing without trying to get it rescued.

"The morning’s high tide had likely buried it and without help, the next high tide would surely drown it."

READ MORE: Hundreds of seals spotted at Blakeney Point beach in Norfolk

Ms Rickett headed towards Horsey knowing the Friends of Horsey Seals could help.

She used what3words to identify the exact location of the stranded pup and a member of the rescue team gave her a lift back to the spot.

Ms Rickett alerted the Friends of Horsey Seals (Image: Rachel Rickett)

"I truly believed it was trapped too tight to be rescued but the team sprang into life like a well-oiled machine and within minutes of their arrival the seal was free and seemingly no worse off for its experience," Ms Rickett said. 

READ MORE: Seal pup saved at Great Yarmouth and Gorleston RNLI

The rescue team was confident the pup had been weaned so allowed it to make its way back to the sea. 

Ms Rickett said she was grateful for the "heroes" from the seal rescue team and said it "absolutely" made her day to see it free.

The team helped set the seal free and it made its way back to the sea (Image: Rachel Rickett)

A spokesman from the Friends of Horsey Seals said: "We were shocked to see how deep it was buried.

"We do our best not to interfere with nature but the sea defences are man-made and pups do get trapped in them.

"Fortunately we carry a small spade and had to do some digging before we could lift the pup out using grabbers and anti-bite gloves.

"This pup is no longer dependent on its mum - it just needs to rest now."