A grey seal has died after being found trapped in netting on a Norfolk beach.

Eastern Daily Press: The seal found at Caister with the netting around his neck.The seal found at Caister with the netting around his neck. (Image: Archant)

The grey seal was found on Caister beach on Wednesday morning with fine nylon netting wrapped around its neck.

Great Yarmouth-based Marine and Wildlife Rescue were called to reports of the injured animal, with a crowd of people having gathered on the beach.

Dan Goldsmith, chairman, said when he arrived the animal was in severe pain.

'When I arrived it was clear the animal was in some discomfort,' he said.

'You could tell it was in pain as there was a quite a group of people that had gathered, but it was making no effort to get back into the water.

'I knew it had to be moved quickly.'

Officers from the RSPCA were called to the scene and took the animal away to its facility in East Winch, near King's Lynn.

However, the seal died after arriving at the wildlife centre.

Mr Goldsmith said it was one of several similar incidents he had been called to this year, right along the Norfolk coastline.

Only this week the RSPCA warned that the seal colony at Horsey has been badly affected by the threat of plastics.

Some six seals are currently suffering with injuries caused by plastic rings and nylon fishing detritus, with a volunteer patrol group monitoring their condition.

The volunteers are currently unable to approach the seals as they go through breeding season.

Among other high-profile cases this year was that of Frisbee, an adult female who was hurt by a plastic ring.

Mr Goldsmith warned members of the public to stay a safe distance away from hurt seals.

'People today were very sensible and stayed away.

'But even though the seal is hurt, they can be aggressive and can feel more vulnerable when they are injured,' he said.

If you find an injured seal, call Marine and Wildlife Rescue on 01692 650338 or the British Divers Marine Life Rescue service on 01825 765546.