Thames swimmer attacked by seal

A swimmer has suffered a broken foot after being attacked by a seal in the Thames.

Levi Clarke, a trainee teacher, was in the Thames estuary off Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, when he was rammed by the animal.

Mr Clarke, 21, of Southend, said: "I was just swimming and larking about when all of a sudden one of the seals charged at me under the water. It was about six feet long and went straight into my right leg."

He was swimming about half a mile out to sea to cool off during Sunday's recordbreaking temperatures when the attack happened.

"The pain was incredible and I went straight under the water because I had been thrown off-balance and was in shock," he said.

Experts say seal attacks by the two main British species - the grey and the common - are virtually unknown.

Vet Jeremy Stattersfield, who treats many seals, said: "If this chap had got close then the seal would have made sure it was between the pups and him and I should think that's how it rammed him."