A PLAYFUL interaction between a grey seal and a diver in the North Sea off the Northumberland coast, the U.K., was caught on camera recently.

Ben Burville, 49, from Amble, Northumberland, was diving in his local area when two seals approached him.

One of the seals takes an interest in Burville while the other is more fascinated by the camera dipping in and out of shot.

The footage shows the interesting play between the seal and the diver, who has had seal interactions before, with the seal grabbing Burville’s head.

Burville reciprocates the attention by stroking the seals’ flippers as the inquisitive seal tries to remove his goggles.

A similar interaction occurred in the same location for the diver at the end of last year in which the seal appeared to hug him.

Although the adorable interaction looks like a dream come true for any animal lover, Burville, a diver and medical doctor, says he does not encourage others to do the same.

He said, “I would not advocate that divers ever touch marine life, especially seals as they have powerful jaws, full of sharp teeth and numerous bacteria that can result in ‘seal finger’ or other infections.

“I have dived with, observed and filmed grey seals for over 18 years and over this period they have helped show me how to dive with them in a way that they feel very relaxed.

“I dive with seals all year round and cannot remember when I last dived and wasn’t approached by a seal underwater that made physical contact with me.”

Burville, a full-time GP in the coastal town of Amble, has dived for more than 32 years.

(SD-Agencies)