It's not always humans that need the help of Lyme Bay National Coastwatch Institution (NCI).

A seal pup, now named Vader, is recovering well thanks to a member of the public and watch keeper Debbie.

Debbie was closing up the Hive Beach NCI lookout at dusk on November 29 when she was alerted by someone on the beach to the pup in apparent distress.

After a quick check, the British Diving Marine Wildlife Trust were called.

A spokesman for Lyme Bay NCI said: "Over two hours later, in the pitch black and freezing cold, Debbie helped rescue this beautiful young seal to a car where he was then taken to the vets and put on a drip before an onward journey to Weymouth for a night under a lamp.

"Vader has since been transported to Mallydams Wood RSPCA in East Sussex where he is doing OK but needs a lot of rehabilitation to gain some weight before being put back into the sea.

"Debbie eventually got home sometime after 7pm, freezing cold but happy that her watch had led to helping save this little chap."