'Horrific' seal deaths linked to plastic toys

According to East Riding of Yorkshire Council 90% of seal entanglements are from plastic objects

A group which protects Atlantic grey seals has called for seaside shops to stop selling plastic toys after noticing a rise in animal deaths.

Clair Murgatroyd, from the Yorkshire Seal Group, said seeing seals entrapped in flying plastic rings had become common.

She added they often "died a slow and painful death” after getting them trapped around their necks.

East Riding of Yorkshire Council agreed to raise awareness of the risks to wildlife from such items.

Councillor Jayne Phoenix said seals were dying "horrific deaths" because of plastic toys

The idea was brought forward by Liberal Democrat councillor Jayne Phoenix who represents Bridlington North.

Ms Phoenix, 62, said she believed something had be done to prevent the deaths of seals on the East Yorkshire coast.

“Some major retailers have already stopped stocking plastic items,” she said.

Ms Phoenix said she wanted independent retailers in places like Bridlington, based close to the beach, to also stop selling the items.

"Thirty seals have been found dead with plastic rings around their necks in the last five years," she added.

The seal group said young animals particularly were attracted to the brightly coloured toys

Ms Murgatroyd, said she had handed letters to independent shops on the Yorkshire coast to warn them of the dangers to seals.

“I went to one shop in Scarborough and spoke to the manager about the situation, they were horrified.

Days later I went back and the shop had taken them off the shelves,” she added.

Ms Murgatroyd said she hoped more shops would follow their example.

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