This unexpected arrival got the seal of approval from onlookers at Molesey Lock this weekend.

Richmond and Twickenham Times:

The seal probably came up from the Thames Estuary on Friday evening and got into the lock when a boat passed through, according to an Environment Agency spokeswoman.

The seal was let out of the lock on Saturday morning but was still outside the gate on Sunday. Lock keeper Steve Bolam said though he was not sure where the seal came from, it was not the first time it had been to the lock.

He said: "He’s come up a few times before over the years, bobs around, eats a few fish and then leaves. He was stuck in the lock overnight but he won’t have gone hungry in there, there are loads of fish."