Seal hitches a ride from Thames paddleboarder

A lazy seal popped out of the Thames to hitch a ride on a passing paddleboard.

The harbour seal spent 40 minutes shadowing instructor Richard Vallance, 20, and his pupils as they practised between Kew Gardens and Syon House.

Mr Vallance, an instructor for Active360, said: “When it first popped its head up we were quite shocked, but it stayed about a metre away.

"Then as it got more comfortable, it put its hands up onto my board and started sniffing about.”

“Next time I will bring some sardines with me.”