A RARE bearded seal pup was blown hundreds of miles off course from its home in the Arctic seas - to the Northumberland coast.

The young traveller is the first recorded visitor of its species to land in the region.

Spotted last weekend on Beadnall beach, the pup was said to be fit, fat and healthy.

Wildlife tour guide Alan Tilmouth from Northumberland Wildlife Tours waited 90 minutes to ensure the tide washed it back into the sea and to safeguard it from dog attacks.

Kevin O'Hara, conservation officer at Northumberland Wildlife Trust said: "This seal was way off course as species of this type normally inhabit the waters around the Arctic.

"Seals wander the seas and very often get blown off course and my guess is that the strong north-westerly winds have altered the water currents and blown it here.

"There is no cause for concern although it is very unusual for it to make an appearance on a beach in Northumberland."