AN 11-year-old animal lover hopes to be recognised by one of his his favourite TV shows for helping to save the life of a baby seal.

Tom O'Donnell, of Hill Road, Barrow, has already been awarded six different Blue Peter Badges for his achievement in sports and fundraising for his local area.

Not content with his original badge for completing the Coniston to Barrow walk in aid of St Mary's Hospice; one purple, one silver and three blue sports badges, the St Bernard's pupil has his sights set on a green badge which recognises conservation work.

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Tom's mum Vikki, 38, is hoping TV bosses respond positively to her son's letter about the seal rescue on Roa Island.

She said: "He just loves the badges and if he gets this one, there will only be two more to go.

"We had a family day out and the little seal was just there - the guy on the jetty said he thought it would be OK but Tom was really worried."

In the letter sent to the children's TV programme, Tom described feeling "shocked" to see the seal lying on the jetty on August 8.

The family had planned an outing to Piel Island but Tom wanted to make sure the creature wan unhurt.

Mrs O'Donnell added: "Tom's dad joked about taking binoculars to see seals but we didn't think we would actually see one.

"Tom went right up to it and it didn't move."

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The keen cricketer's quick thinking led to the animal being rescued by the British Divers Marine Life Rescue after several unsuccessful calls were made to the RSPCA and a vet.

Staff on the BDMLR hotline initially asked the family to take a photo of the seal and decided to send in the rescue team when the image showed the animal looking emaciated.

Tom added: "I feel very proud to have helped saved this baby seal."

The seal was taken to a specialist treatment centre for rehabilitation and was eventually reintroduced to the wild.

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