Seals released onto the beach in north Norfolk

Three young seals made a break for freedom following weeks of care and attention from wildlife workers and volunteers.

Called Kanga, Pico and Chip, the nine or 10-month-old marine mammals were released onto a north Norfolk beach by the Friends of Horsey Seals and the RSPCA, after treatment for various ailments at the East Winch Wildlife Centre.

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Peter Ansell, chairman of the Friends group, said an older seal was released at the same time.

Mr Ansell said: "When they see the water they normally rush straight to it because that's their place of safety - they don't need much persuasion.

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Peter Ansell, chairman of Friends of Horsey Seals (Image: Newsquest)

"One of the pups didn't want to go at first, but then did, and the older one came out of the trailer like a rocket.

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"After several weeks of being in a confined area, with people feeding them, it must come as quite a shock to be faced with all that water. But once they’ve gone in, they're gone."

The seals making their way towards the water (Image: Friends of Horsey Seals)

Mr Ansell said some of the volunteers "shed a tear" when they saw a seal rush towards the water after being restored to health, and tears were also shed when they were rescued in a "terrible state".

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He said the details of when and exactly where the seals are released onto the beach were kept low-key.

Friends of Horsey Seals was established in 2011 to take over a project formed by Natural England and the Broads Authority in 2003.

Its work continues to grow as the grey seal colony between Waxham and Winterton expands each year, visit www.friendsofhorseyseals.co.uk to find out more.