HAVE we seen the last of Keith the seal in Worcestershire's waters?

That is the fear of one of the campaigners who helped save the lovable marine mammal from being returned to the sea.

Keith captured the hearts of people across the county after she was first spotted in the River Severn in November 2012.

She made herself at home throughout Worcestershire, with an extended stop in Bewdley.

An outcry followed news the Angling Trust had applied to Natural England for a licence to capture the celebrity seal and return her to the sea.

This led to a successful petition which was signed by more than 3,000 asking for authorities to let Keith be.

St John's Councillor Richard Udall weighed into the debate last January, by stating Keith was "a major tourist attraction" in Worcestershire,and provided a "natural educational resource" for children.

However, with no new sightings of the grey female seal having been reported since September, it is thought the mammal may have migrated to pastures new for good.

Lisa Ventura, who started the online petition with Dave Grubb, said: "The last new sighting was a while ago and quite a way down from us.

"She hasn't been seen for ages.

"Every so often I put a post on the Facebook group to check but there hasn't been any news for a long while.

"Either she's gone back to sea or something else has happened.

"I'd love to see her come back.

"I hope it's not the end of Keith in Worcester."

The most recent spotting, by Jessica Green, was in Sharpness in Gloucestershire - on the way to the Bristol Channel.

Anyone who has any updates on Keith's whereabouts is asked to post on the 'Save Keith the Seal' Facebook page.