Walkers at Studland had a special surprise at the weekend with a visit by a playful seal.

Rower Bob Cottell was returning from a trip out rowing and found himself accompanied by the seal as he came into the water’s edge at Knoll Beach.

Onlookers were amazed and excited to see the creature.

Michelle Luther who was out with her family said: “We were lucky to see the seal, it was so wonderful watching him cheekily climbing onto the row boat and playfully swimming around.

“Having seen the recent photos featured in the Daily Echo and online of the seal it was a real pleasure to see him first hand.”