A confused seal has sparked an RNLI rescue mission after it took shelter on steps outside a block of flats.

The pup was spotted on the steps of the Royal Esplanade Apartments in Redcar, Teesside on Thursday morning. After some some 'cautious coaxing' and the use of a dog cage volunteers managed to get the youngster back to the water.

"While we were assembling to carry out a lifeboat changeover this morning, one of our crew was alerted to a seal sheltering in the doorway of the Royal Apartments on the sea front," Redcar RNLI wrote on Facebook.