EXPERTS say a seal found in a Merseyside field may have travelled from a colony in Wirral before getting lost.

A tweet from Cheshire Police at 10.30am this morning, Monday, said the seal had been found in a 'distressed' state on the Newton-le-Willows farmland.

But it has now been safely transported to a seal sanctuary before he will be released to a seal colony in Wirral.

Officers in both Cheshire and Merseyside are involved in the search as the seal is near Red Bank Farm between Winwick and Newton.

Experts believe the grey juvenile seal may have swam from Hilbre Island.

Police said it was spotted about 9.30am by a dog walker.

Owner of the farm Angela Watkinson said she got a call from the police asking if they owned any exotic pets.

She added: "I laughed and said Pygmy goats, sheep and cattle was exotic as it got.

"But then I got a shock when I came out to find an actual seal in the garden.

"You can see where he has come up from the brook but we have got no idea which direction he has come from."

Rachel Fraser, from the British Divers Marine Life Rescue, says she's really surprised to see a seal 20 miles inland.

She added: "We think he has come from the Mersey up through Sankey via the brook.

"We're waiting for a crate and a trailer to take him back to the sea."

It has been confirmed it is a male juvenile seal.

Although he seems calm, experts added he will be quite distressed.

Watching passers by have been warned not to approach the animal as they can be aggressive. 

A spokesman said: "Police have contained the seal and representatives from the British Diver Marine Life Rescue Service are making their way to the scene.

"Seals are powerful animals and potentially dangerous. Police are advising the public to stay away from the area."