Hampshire man swims with seal at Lepe beach, New Forest

Chris Balcombe was taking his daily swim at Lepe beach in the New Forest.

As he swam, he noticed a family waving and pointing at him from the shore.

Freddie, eight, Zaden, seven, and Isla, six, at Lepe beach in the New Forest.

The 60-year-old photographer then felt something brush against his legs so stopped in his tracks on Thursday afternoon.

He said: "It was cold and grey at Lepe. Not at all inviting. After making my way, as fast as possible, out to a marker buoy, I began swimming back. I noticed a family on the beach waving and pointing, and assumed they were just being friendly.

"I then felt something brush by my legs and stopped for a moment.

"Turning around, I came face to face with a seal, gazing at me.

A seal at Lepe, Hampshire

"It continued to stay with me, diving under and investigating my feet, arms and legs and gently nudging me curiously, popping up frequently to stare at me.

"It was a great experience which I'll never forget."

Chris, from Dibden Purlieu, added: "I am not worried about seals. Great White sharks, yes. He never bit me.

"I was delighted."

Chris Balcombe swimming with a seal at Lepe, Hampshire

Collette Sharp told how she had gone to Lepe beach with her three children, Freddie, eight, Zaden, seven, and Isla, six.

She said: "My son saw a seal and we followed it down the beach. We saw Chris swimming and it just popped up right behind him.

The full-time carer from the Shirley area of Southampton added: "Every time he moved it would pop up behind him. We love the beach and it was so surreal. We were so glad we went."