The year 2004 got off to a happy start for two seals that were released back into their natural habitat on New Year's Day.

'Tom', who was rescued at Tenby's North Beach, and 'Bert', picked up at Gwbert, near Cardigan, were released into the sea off Tenby's Castle Beach, after spending several weeks being nursed back to good health by Terry Ledbetter and his volunteers at the Welsh Marine Life Rescue Centre in Milford Haven.

"Both seals were very much under weight when they were rescued, and 'Tom' was one of the skinniest I have ever seen, but they have progressed really well and are now ready to go back into the sea," Terry told the Observer.