River Arun kayaker gets a surprise visit from Gavin the seal

Ashley Waller was on a socially-distanced kayak trip with friends on May 19 when they encountered the curious mammal. He said: "At first we saw movement in the water, then he came up behind one of our friend's kayaks but he stayed his distance.

"We paddled off about 50 metres towards Arundel and could still see him. I had 1% battery left on my phone so I paddled back about 20 metres by myself, but with my friends nearby so that in case anything happened they were close by.

"I waited about five minutes and there he was to my right, I captured the video just in time before my phone died and continued to stroke him

"I then paddled back to my friends and he once again followed us for about 20 metres then we lost sight of him."