MINEHEAD has had a special visitor this week – a young grey seal which locals around the harbour have nicknamed Jeff and is to be found asleep on the slipway when the tide is out.

Jeff, who made his first visit at the end of November, has become such a visitor attraction that signs have gone up asking people not to get too close.

“It is an unusual place for a seal to haul up,” said Dan Jarvis of the British Divers’ Marine Life Rescue. “But as youngsters become fully independent they go off and figure out the world for themselves.

“He looks to be in good health so we are not concerned about him, but he shouldn’t be fed, stroked or approached. He might have travelled a long distance and has stayed in Minehead to rest and conserve his energy before going off again on his travels.

“People have come from all over the area in the hope of seeing Jeff,” said Minehead harbourmaster Craig Butler.

“He disappears for a while and then comes back and falls asleep on the harbour slipway. Children are particularly intrigued by him and he doesn’t seem frightened of humans.

“We have seen seals here before but they haven’t stayed as long as Jeff.”