THERE may not be many shops on the banks of the River Ribble - but look out for the January seals!

There have been sightings of a grey, blubbery mammal where the river winds its way through Ribchester.

Anglers who fish the stretch of water have been amazed to see the seal swimming in the river and playing around on the grassy banks nearby.

Not normally seen so far in-land, the seals usually stay in the coastal estuaries, living on a diet mainly of fish.

But this intrepid seal seems quite content on inland waterways and has been spotted several times, also at Osbaldeston.

It's the first time Blackburn fisherman Eric Hayes, who fishes the Ribble as a member of Ribchester and District Anglers Club, has heard of seals swimming so far up stream.

Mr Hayes, 43, of Observatory Road, said: "I've heard of similar things happening in the 1970s but I've never seen it before.

"Because of what's happened with sea fishing, anglers know that the food chain in the sea is going down.

"They're heavily fishing sand eels for use as trout pellets or fertiliser and that could be forcing these seals inland.

"Although they are nice animals it's a worry to see them because they might be taking larger fish out of the river."

Anglers have traditionally suffered with predatory birds such as cormorants, which target larger river fish, and Mr Hayes expressed concern the sighting could mean other seals were on their way.

Lancashire Telegraph wildlife columnist Ron Freethy said seal sightings in the Ribble had occurred before.

He said: "The fact that the seal is in the river at all is a sign water quality is improving and that means much more fish.

"It will have followed the fish up the river and what it will probably do is turn back round and go back when it's finished.

"Seals in rivers are not common but there's the chances are somewhere around every river of Great Britain you might have a seal.

"They usually head up when the tide is high like at the moment.

"The currents are no problem for them because they are strong swimmers anyway."

* Have you spotted a seal - or any other unusual animals - around East Lancashire? Let us know by submitting your comments below.