A seal has been spotted 17 miles inland in Somerset in southwest England.

Nature photographer Carl Bovis got the surprise of his life when he found the harbour seal in a field during his morning walk on Sunday (August 5).

The seal was spotted by Bovis basking in the sun 17 miles up the River Parrett.

Bovis later wrote online: ''I couldn’t believe it when I saw it.

''The seal seemed perfectly happy though, enjoying the sun as it lay on the muddy riverbank.

''Even more unusual is the fact that Harbour Seals are rare on the Somerset coast.''

This Harbour Seal was filmed 17 miles up the river Parrett from the Bristol Channel on the Somerset Levels! I couldn't believe it when I saw it! You don't expect to see Seals so far inland! It seemed perfectly happy though, enjoying the sun as it lay on the muddy riverbank. Even more unusual is the fact that Harbour Seals are rare on the Somerset coast, they're a Northern species, common around Scotland and Northern England. Somerset usually only get a few Grey Seals on their coastline. The Seal seemed very happy and healthy! It looked at home, despite being a very unusual sight!