Bradley the seal is still at large in the River Medway despite sustained effort to rescue him.

Volunteers from the British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) service carried out a lengthy operation in Maidstone today in an attempt to catch Bradley and take him back to the sea, but the seal was having none of it.

The seal, first spotted by Philip Anderson on Friday, April 2, has somehow managed to swim past Allington Lock and was cruising the Medway through Maidstone and up as far as Tovil Wharf and East Farleigh lock.

At first the RSPCA said the seal was quite happy and healthy and should be left alone, but concerns were expressed more recently after some youths were seen firing catapults at it.

Fearing that the mammal could not find his way below the lock again, with the lock gates not due to open for some time, the BDMLR decided to step in and lend Bradley a helping hand.

Their efforts created a lot of interest from passers-by, but were ultimately unsuccessful.

With night now falling, the team have packed up and will return again tomorrow.

Read more: All the latest news from Malling

Read more: All the latest news from Maidstone

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