This is the third year seals have been released with hats

Seal pups released from the National Seal Sanctuary at Gweek are now being returned to the sea with the yellow hats to help track their progress.

Anyone who spots a seal with a hat, which are attached with non-toxic glue and will come off when the seal moults, is asked to contact the sanctuary.

Sightings have so far been reported from as far as Brittany and Holland.

'Highly visible'

The sanctuary's team release all rescued seals with a flipper tag and this is the third year running they have released the pups with a hat tag as well.

"The hat tags are highly visible yellow colour, which makes them easy to see from a long distance, especially cliff tops," said curator Dr Glenn Boyle.

"The hats will stay in place until late winter, early spring of next year and then fall off when the seal moults its fur."

Each hat also has a unique letter and number, allowing the team to identify each individual pup.