TWO surfers were left astounded when a seal joined in trying to catch some waves by climbing onto their boards.

Matt Stanley and Andrew Flounders were in the sea near Amble, Northumberland, when the curious animal started following them in the water.

For the next hour it then repeatedly tried to climb onto their boards but kept sliding off.

Mr Stanley, 23, who caught the whole thing on camera, told the BBC: "It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. We had been in for about 45 minutes when the seal came along.

"I've seen them there before but they are usually far away. This one nudged Andrew's foot in the water and started getting curious."

The video of the encounter shows the pair helping the seal onto their boards as it keeps trying to climb on.

Mr Stanley said he had never seen one that close, let alone on a board, and after initially leaving, the seal kept following them so they went back into the water.