Six seals freed after getting entangled in plastic on Yorkshire's coast

The Marine Conservation Society and British Divers Marine Life Rescue are urging people to help clear litter on their visits to the beaches.

The animals were found with plastic trapped around their bodies, causing painful cuts.

The entanglements, which were successfully removed by trained marine mammal medics, have involved plastic bags, tarpaulins, rubber inner tubes, commercial fishing nets and recreational angling line.

If they are not removed they can lead to worsening wounds as they grow, move and feed, often leading to a slow death from infection or starvation.

The latest to be rescued was a young seal, which had a thick plastic strap used to secure a box, caught round its neck.

The animal, found further north on the Northumberland coast on Monday, was only around a year old, and had a very lucky escape, rescuers say.

"Seals are curious animals. The seal probably saw the packing band, messed around with it and then it went over its head," said a spokeswoman from the BDMLR.

“The band had gone into the fur, but hadn’t cut deep into the blubber. We were able to cut it through and the salt water will clear it up.

"As a seal grows the entanglement doesn’t grow with them. Monafilament is like cheese wire - it just cuts in until the animal dies, which can take years.”

She urged people to be “mindful” when disposing of rubbish – including cutting any plastic that could form a restrictive loop if it finds its way into the sea.

Just one example, six-pack plastic rings, are thought to cause the deaths of tens of thousands of animals every year.

She said: "Down in Norfolk we have a big problem with hoop frisbees - there's been lots of seals with them round their necks leaving them with permanent scar damage.

"In Yorkshire it's mostly fishing net debris or fishing line debris that's washed ashore.

"Anything that's a loop is going to be a problem because an animal will swim into it and can't get out of it."

If a seal is spotted in distress call BDMLR on 01825 765 546.