FAMILIES were upset to spot a dead seal pup in Latchford Locks along Manchester Ship Canal over the weekend surrounded by litter.

Melissa Callaghan, from Lymm, said: "Really sad seeing this, we thought it was a seal in the ship canal surrounded by plastic!

"It really upset my children but they took note the importance of recycling."

Lucy Brady, from Latchford, also saw the seal pup with her family, she added: "When I arrived there I was horrified to see this poor defenceless animal that had died because of the littering that has continually happened in the area.

"People need to realise the damage that is happening."

Earlier this week we reported a seal had been spotted in the Mersey at Paddington Meadows.

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Resident Rich Clancy spotted the seal while walking his dog Rogan near to the river on Saturday.

It is the first reported seal sighting in the town since 2017.

He said: “Rogan was swimming and cooling off, and the seal popped up right next to him.

“I’ve heard of seals being seen in the Mersey years ago, but I’ve never actually seen one myself.”

See more pictures and video of the seal sighting by clicking here