A CHESTER family whose house lies on the banks of the River Dee got a surprise when a special visitor turned up outside their home.

It’s not a sight you’d expect to see on the river, but the Hipkiss family decided to make friends with the grey seal that turned up outside their home, affectionately naming it ‘Sammy Dee’.

The seal was seen swimming along the Dee’s tidal section opposite the apartments near the racecourse before heading off down the stream and settling on a muddy beach near to the old port boardwalk.

The Hipkiss family contacted Marine Rescue who checked out the mammal and confirmed he was fine and healthy.