Seal rescued from mud in Chelsea creek

Almost invisible in the thick black mud, the only sign of anything amiss in Chelsea creek was a pair of large brown eyes peering out from the shore.

Unknown to people strolling by the river, a lone female seal was fighting for her life, trapped in the mud.

She was spotted by the Harbour Master and the RSPCA was called. It was soon determined a rescue from the shore was too dangerous because of the thick mud.

Luckily for the seal, the Fire Brigade offered to use one of its boats. Two firefighters and seal expert Gavin Parsons got within yards of the stricken creature but as darkness fell they almost failed to spot her.

" The poor thing was almost invisible," said Mr Parsons. "We almost stepped on her. She didn't put up a fight.

"Had we not got there, she would have drowned within an hour when the tide came in. We bundled her into a body bag and dragged her across the mud back to the boat."

The seal was washed and examined. She could barely lift her head and the team considered putting her down.

"Then she began to move her head and it was decided to transport her to an RSPCA centre in Norfolk," said Mr Parsons, a volunteer with British Divers Marine Life Rescue.

A spokesman for the centre, which has named the seal Chelsea, said she was fighting for her life. "Chelsea is infested with lungworm, and half her usual weight. It is touch and go, but we're hopeful if she can get through the next day or two she will survive."

Seals have been returning to the Thames for two years after a five-year absence, attracted by the growing number of fish in the cleaner water.