A KILLER virus threatens to wipe out a northern seal colony.

Hartlepool Borough Council "strongly suspects'' that a sick seal found on a beach at nearby Seaton Carew,was a victim of phocine distemper virus (PDV). The animal had to be put down.

Results of laboratory tests are still awaited, but the council says this could be the first indication that the local population is infected and there is now serious concern that the virus could run through the 70-strong Teesmouth colony.

PDV affects seals' immune systems, making them more susceptible to illnesses such as pneumonia.

In the past three weeks, the RSPCA has received 25 calls about seals on local beaches, resulting in seven collections or rescues. Three of those could have been carrying the disease, said RSPCA chief inspector Neil Mitchell.

"There is quite a strong chance it (PDV) has arrived, but we won't know for definite until we get the test results back,'' said Mr Mitchell.

More than 1,500 dead seals have been reported around the UK's coastline since a PDV outbreak began in the summer.

Dave Stubbs, head of environmental management for Hartlepool council, is urging people to stay off the beaches if they see a stranded seal.

He said: "The virus poses no danger to people but we understand that it may be passed on to dogs.'