Rudolph leads Blitzen home

A rescued seal named after one of Santa's reindeer after being washed ashore before Christmas has been released back into the wild this week.

Blitzen was adopted by Mundesley Coastwatch crew after being found underweight and dehydrated at the local beach by a member of the Coastwatch team.

He had a swollen muzzle and had suffered bite marks to his shoulders, hips and flippers, as well as being hypoglaecemic.

However, two months after his discovery, he has made a remarkable recovery having been nursed back to health by the Sea Life sanctuary at Hunstanton.

Now a healthy 45kg, more than double the weight recorded when he arrived, Blitzen was released back into the sea last week at Winterton-on-Sea.

And he was led home by Rudolph, another seal rescued nearby.

Mundesley Coastwatch has praised the work of the volunteer marine medics, who are taught how to handle the marine mammals, and helped save the seals.

And, with more than a dozen seals having been washed up since Blitzen's rescue, they are hoping to train more members in future.

Bob White, manager of Mundesley Coastwatch, said: 'It was lovely, the whole thing went ever so well for them. They found it quite a touching experience.'