A seal pup has been saved after it was found unexpectedly blocking a road in North Yorkshire, forcing it to be closed until the mammal returned to sea.
On Thursday morning, the young grey seal was found laying in the middle of Scarborough near the Grand Hotel, risking an accident due to oncoming traffic.
Staff at Me'N'u Scarborough on Royal Albert Drive found the seal pup while on their way into work.
They called the British Divers Marine Life Rescue's (BDMLR) hotline - a charity which responds to marine animals in distress - and stayed with the pup until Marine Mammal Medics arrived.
The seal was then returned to the shore, where it was last spotted resting.
A spokesperson for the BDMLR said: 'A young grey seal pup was found lying in the middle of a road in Scarborough by members of the public, placing it at real risk from passing traffic.
'Heavy tides can push tired seal pups far beyond the beach in search of somewhere safe to rest - but this can sometimes leave them in dangerous and unexpected locations.
'Thanks to a prompt report from the local business, our Marine Mammal Medics were able to attend quickly and intervene.
A seal pup (pictured) has been saved after it was found unexpectedly blocking a road in North Yorkshire on Thursday morning
The seal was then returned to the shore by the British Divers Marine Life Rescue where it was last spotted resting
Staff at Me'N'u Scarborough on Royal Albert Drive found the seal pup (pictured) while on their way into work
'The seal is well and resting in a more suitable location, where it can conserve energy without disturbance.
'In situations like this, the safest immediate response is often to manage the risks around the animal - such as traffic or people - until trained Marine Mammal Medics can attend to assess the seal and, where necessary, act under the appropriate wildlife licence.'
The pup is not however, the first to make a dash for England's shores this year.
In January, a seal pup escaped Storm Chandra by making its way into the garden of a home in Cornwall.
The residents of the home at St Loy were left shocked after they found the seal huddled near the coop of some chickens.
After discovering the uninvited guest, a resident called the BDMLR for assistance and the seal was later released back into the sea.
A seal pup (pictured) made for an unexpected surprise after it escaped Storm Chandra by making its way into the garden of a Cornwall home
