Police are investigating an assault after a mobility scooter rider was filmed 'deliberately antagonising' grey seals along a beach.

The man also allegedly drove his off-road scooter at a seal warden who told him to stop disturbing the animals on Winterton and Somerton Beach in Norfolk.

An eyewitness, who does not want to be named, said he was "encouraging his dog to go into the water with them". "

After being told to stop, it is alleged that the man then hit the woman with his mobility scooter.

Police were called to Winterton following the incident on November 7 and officers said that no wildlife offences had been committed.

But a spokeswoman for the force said enquiries are ongoing into reports of an assault.

Dan Goldsmith from Marine Wildlife and Rescue believes that more needs to be done to protect the mammals.

He said: "Many people love seeing the seals."

"It's a national place of interest, but some people, unfortunately, do try to cause them harm. "

"Laws for seals are not as robust as they should be." "

Pupping season is now under way and the colony along the five-mile stretch between Waxham and Winterton will be monitored by the Friends of Horsey Seals group.

The majority of births happen from mid-November to mid-December, attracting thousands of visitors each winter as young seals are weaned before entering the sea.

Sally Butler, chairman for Friends of Horsey seals, added: "It's important that seals are left undisturbed during the pupping season. "

"Over the last two years, the colony has declined by 10 per cent, one of the main reasons for this is human disturbance."