A grey seal found tangled in nets has been rescued and returned to the sea.

The seal was retrieved from Cruden Bay beach by the Scottish SPCA on Tuesday.

He was so large it took three wildlife officers to lift him and three more to cut him free.

Chief inspector John Carle said: "The amount of netting tangled around the seal's neck was the largest I have ever seen.

"He was so large and heavy it took three of our officers to lift him and take him to our centre in Drumoak where we cut the net away.

"If he hadn't been discovered and freed the net would eventually have cut through his skin, which could have resulted in septicaemia or other infections.

"Thankfully, there were no injuries in this case and we were able to release him relatively quickly.

"It was a lovely moment watching the seal heading back into the water. This was a very happy ending and we're so glad we were able to help."