Smiling seal photo wins Countryfile calendar prize

The photo was taken on Horsey beach in Norfolk - a popular spot for seal spotting

A primary school teacher and amateur photographer said it felt "surreal" to have her photo of a smiling seal feature on the front cover of the BBC Countryfile calendar.

'Seal of Approval' by Ursula Armstrong was chosen by a public vote after about 22,000 photos were submitted to the competition.

The picture was taken at the end of last summer on Horsey beach in Norfolk where thousands of seal pups are born each year.

Ms Armstrong, 36, from Upminster, London, said she was drawn to the smiling seal "due to its cuteness".

"He was there in the middle of the seal colony with grey and common seals and he really caught my eye," she told the BBC.

"He was rolling around in the sand, just being really engaging and lovely."

Ms Armstrong says she has always had a love of wildlife

Ms Armstrong, who took-up photography during lockdown, said she captured the award-winning photo on a long lens to avoid spooking the seal colony.

"I'm so honoured that mine was selected because there were so many incredible photos from some really experienced people," she added.

As well as featuring on the front cover of the 2025 Countryfile calendar, the photo will also appear on November's page.

Last year, sales of Countryfile calendars raised more than £2.3 million for BBC Children in Need.