Dumbledore the seal receiving treatment at RSPCA facility in East Winch after being found 20 miles from the sea last week

A seal discovered in a field on Merseyside has been diagnosed with pneumonia but is on the road to recovery.

The adult grey seal, who has been named Dumbledore, was found stranded in a field in Newton-le-Willows, at least 20 miles from the sea, on 22 December.

He was taken to the RSPCA’s specialist seal facility in East Winch, Norfolk, the following day, where he was examined by a vet and underwent tests.

Sue Levings, of the East Winch centre, said: “Dumbledore has undergone x-rays which thankfully have shown no signs of being shot, which was one of our worries. However, vets have found he is suffering from pneumonia and he is currently receiving treatment for that.

“He is much more settled now and still looks very sorry for himself, but other than that he is quite lively. He is still very poorly but hopefully with further care and attention from the staff here at RSPCA East Winch he will continue to make a good recovery.”