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The deaths of 38 seals which washed up on the North Norfolk coast are being investigated by police.

The dead mammals, a mixture of common and grey seals, have been appearing on beaches in Blakeney, Morston and Wells since November.

The animals all suffered laceration-type injuries which are believed to have eventually caused their deaths.

Two seals have been the subject of post-mortem examinations, but the results are not yet known.

Insp Mike Brown, who is leading the investigation, said: "The seals have suffered awful injuries which we believe are the probable cause of death and there is no indication that these were caused by disease or any type of predator.

"We have been working closely with seal boat operators and local fishermen but we would like to hear from anyone else who may have information regarding these occurrences."

The National Trust, the Norfolk Wildlife Trust and the National Wildlife Crime Unit are among several other agencies helping police to try to discover what happened to the seals.