SEABIRDS rescued from the Dorset coast covered in an oil additive are set to be released back into the wild.

More than 300 birds, mainly guillemots, were washed up two weeks ago along Chesil Beach covered in a waxy substance.

Around 200 survived and many were taken to West Hatch Animal Centre in Taunton where they are recovering well.

Dozens of them are now in an outdoor pool and are on track to be released within the next two weeks.

Gavin Grant, RSPCA chief executive, visited the wildlife centre to see the recovering birds.

He said it was inspiring to see the ‘dedicated, professional and individual care of each oiled bird’ and so many are doing really well.