A group of seals have been returned to their natural habitat of the North Sea after being cared for by an RSPCA centre.
The four grey seals were released at Horsey Beach by RSPCA East Winch Wildlife Centre and the Friends of Horsey Seals.
The seals had been found as pups in a poor condition and weighing only between 12kg and 18kg along the coast, including Cromer and Mundesley.
On Saturday the two male and two female seals were released after being transported to the beach from East Winch, near King's Lynn, in 4x4 vehicles.
Originally six seals were due to be released, but two of them had not reached the ideal weight for release, 40kg.
After the seals had returned to their natural habitat Peter Ansell, from the Friends of Horsey Seals, said: 'It wasn't too difficult – their instinct tells them to go back to the sea'
'The RSPCA do their best to keep human contact to a minimum while they are nursing them so they can remain wary of humans in the wild.'
'It always gives us a sense of satisfaction but we play only a small part – credit must go to RSPCA East Winch.
'Grey seals have a tough time of it. They are born in winter and their mother feeds them for the first three weeks until they are between 35 and 45 kilos then takes them to a beach where she leaves them.
'The pups stay for three weeks on the beach while they shed their coat. After which they head back into the sea and fend for themselves.'
One of the grey seals weighed 18kg when she was found at Mundesley. Due to lungworm, she had very laboured breathing and blood around her mouth.
The other female seal also had lungworm and when found weighed 18kg.
One of the two males only weighed 12.55kg when he was found. He had harsh lungs, bilateral nasal discharge and wounds on his hind flippers
The other male was found at Cromer weighing 15kg and was described as being small, thin not moving away when approached and very lethargic.
Friends of Horsey Seals looking for volunteers. Call Peter Ansell on 01493 748516 or email peter.ansell@hotmail.com
To contact RSPCA East Winch Wildlife Centre visit www.rspca.org.uk/local/east-winch-wildlife-centre
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