THE INTREPID seal who fought his way up the River Ouse into North Yorkshire is set to become a big hit with the tourists this summer.

The seal, who has been christened Sammy, made his home at Linton Lock, near Linton-on-Ouse, two months ago, after making his way up the Ouse from the Humber estuary.

Now, he seems to have become a permanent resident, with specialists from the Environment Agency and the RSPCA saying his presence poses no danger either to himself, or the local ecosystem.

Ian Fuller, who runs Linton Lock Leisureways and is Sammy's biggest fan, says the seal could prove a major attraction in the summer, as he rebuilds his tourism business after the flooding and foot and mouth crises.

"I'm tempted to try teaching him to balance a ball on his nose, like they do with dolphins in Florida," Ian joked. "He's certainly a big pull for visitors at the moment, and hopefully, that'll just get better as the days get warmer. You can just watch him for hours."

Ian has put together a video diary of Sammy's activities, and says he's got used to the seal's habits and antics.

He added: "Sammy's quite the sun-worshipper, actually. You often see him having a quick sunbathe on the bank, when he's not frolicking around in the river and eating.

"I think he's got everything he wants."

Experts initially thought Sammy would turn around and go home after confronting the lock's weir. But he has since proved more than capable of conquering the weir, and seems to have chosen to stay put.

"The only people who might not be so happy about it are the pike anglers, because he eats a lot of pike," said Ian.

"But on the other hand, other anglers will like him for the same reason. Pike eat the fish they're after, so fewer pike means more of what they want.

"He's becoming my best mate, really."

Updated: 10:21 Saturday, March 23, 2002