A SEAL has been rescued by volunteers on a beach in the Pentire area after having a plastic ring stuck around his neck - for six years.

The Seal Research Trust has been tracking the adult male grey seal called 'Commuter' since September 2017 when volunteers first noticed the blue ring caught around his neck.

Commuter had always been tracked to inaccessible locations which had made rescue attempts by BDMLR (British Divers Marine Life Rescue) impossible - until now.

SRT surveyor Andy Rogers was routinely surveying his local haul out site when he spotted Commuter high up the beach with a relatively small number of other seals, and an outgoing tide. 

Upon reporting his sighting to BDMLR, and assessing the circumstances and logistics involved - the urgent preparation for a rescue attempt began.

A team of experienced handlers with specialist equipment was needed to be able to catch and control Commuter safely on land.

Upon inspection, the team found that the ring was an anti foul paint tin seal that had been discarded.

The ring had not cut into the seals neck as deeply as initially feared. 

After the ring was snipped off with bolt cutters, the team assessed the encircling wound which had a minor infection.

The wound was cleaned out and Commuter was released back into the sea.