A VISITING seal provided an unexpected treat for Christmas shoppers in Lymington this weekend.

Amateur photographer Emma Duguid snapped the seal as it swam near the quayside on Saturday morning.

Ms Duguid, a 43-year-old shop worker from Mudeford, said she photographed the seal for the best part of an hour as it swam around yachts and fishing boats moored near the town centre.

The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust is involved in a project aimed at finding out more about seals living in the Solent area.

Representatives say around 50 harbour seals live in the area. Grey seals also sometimes also pass through.