April 11, 2022

A seal provided a star new attraction for visitors to Clacton Pier.

Crowds gathered towards the seaward end of the landmark structure when the marine mammal was spotted on the slipway to the old lifeboat station.

The seal first turned up on Thursday and was back on Friday evening and then again on Saturday but hasn’t been seen again since.

It was spotted by staff and members of the public - who were concerned that it may be in difficulty - but after taking advice from the experts it was decided it was best to leave it to its own devices.

Nigel Brown, the pier’s communications manager, said the seal certainly proved popular.

“We’re not sure if it was just taking a breather on the slipway but it disappeared after a while and then returned on several occasions,” he said.

“A member of our technical services team contacted the British Divers Marine Life Rescue hotline to find out what was the best thing to do.

“Those watching from the pier deck were quite a distance up from the slipway and did not disturb it, but they were able to get a good look.”

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