More than 2,000 grey seal births have been recorded at Horsey Gap during its annual pupping season as police stepped up patrols to deter sight-seers over the weekend.

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Seal pup at Horsey gapSeal pup at Horsey gap (Image: Joe Giddens/ PA Wire)

Seal protection charity Friends of Horsey Seals estimated that "well over 2,000" seal pups have been born this season, which stretches from November to January.

"We suspended counting when the Covid restrictions made it impossible for our counters, so we don't have a complete figure this year," said Jane Bowden, a warden and trustee for the charity.

"This has been a really tough year for us, but we couldn't just abandon the seals."

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Seal pup and mother at Horsey GapSeal pup and mother at Horsey Gap (Image: Joe Giddens/ PA Wire)

Norfolk Police said it had fined a man and woman on Thursday after they drove more than 120 miles from their home in Wellingborough in Northamptonshire to Horsey to see the seal colony.

The man and woman, both aged in their 50s, admitted they had travelled to see the seals and both were issued with a fixed penalty notice.

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Seal pup at Horsey GapSeal pup at Horsey Gap (Image: Joe Giddens/ PA Wire)

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Seal pup at Horsey GapSeal pup at Horsey Gap (Image: Joe Giddens/ PA Wire)

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Seal pup and mother at Horsey GapSeal pup and mother at Horsey Gap (Image: Joe Giddens/ PA Wire)

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Seal pup at Horsey GapSeal pup at Horsey Gap (Image: Joe Giddens/ PA Wire)