STAFF at a North-East marine rescue centre have release two seals back into the wild – including Helena the one-eyed seal.

A spokesperson for Blue Reef Tynemouth’s Marine Rescue Centre said it is always a day of mixed emotions when the team at release an animal.

But this one was more emotional than usual as it has been a lot of hard work and setbacks to get Helena to be in a condition to be released.

Helena was found at St Mary’s Island in Whitley Bay with a number of fishing hooks caught in her body and face. This caused some serious injuries and she needed some treatment and close attention if she was to survive.

She was brought into the rescue centre in July at around four weeks old and soon after it became apparent that the fishing hooks had caused some serious damage to her eye.

Helena needed an operation to remove her eye if she was going to have any chance to survive. She was taken to a local vet for the procedure which comes with its own risks due to the general aesthetic needed.

Happily, she recovered fully from the operation and healed well.

After putting on some weight she was fit enough to be released back into the wild along with her fellow seal, Verne.

Both seals were taken to a local beach to be released and happily went into the sea without any issues.

Susie Lovick-Earle, from Blue Reef Tynemouth said: “It has been a long journey to get these two to a stage where they can be released.

“Especially with Helena’s injuries this has been a difficult case for our team. We were so pleased to see them go and wish them both well for their lives”

Both seals have been tagged, so that they can be tracked if they do show up at another rescue centre.

The Blue Reef Marine rescue centre is able to work thanks to staff from the aquarium and volunteers from who donate their time.