WORK on Clacton’s £36million sea defence scheme was brought to a grinding halt ... by a sunbathing seal pup.

The yearling was spotted on a sand bank where contractors were due to start their next shift building up a fish tail groyne.

The shift was held back while the pup was collected from its position sitting in the sun.

Leon Woodrow, Tendring Council’s nature conservation officer, took the seal to a spot further along the coast where it was gently put back into sea.

Mike Badger, the council’s engineering services manager, said members of the public had also spotted the seal and reported it to the project’s visitor information centre, next to Clacton Sailing Club.

“A number of people were concerned about its safety but it had already been seen on the sand,” he said.

“Along with our contractors VBA Joint Venture we had the situation under control and called in Leon to help out.

“It was a team effort and we made sure that the seal came to no harm.”

Nick Turner, cabinet member for environment and coast protection, said it showed that all those working on the scheme take account of the wildlife around them.

“The guys got a round of applause and cheers from the crowd that had gathered when they collected up the seal pup,” he added.

“Following a short delay it was full steam ahead again with the programme of work.”