The death of Freddie the seal sparked a wave of emotion for the mammals especially as more are being sighted on the Thames.

Experts say the river will see more marine life as it becomes cleaner and now Seal Watch want to educate the public on how to behave around the creatures.

Their plan is to put up signs along the Thames in west London at points where seals have been sighted.

The signs, which have the backing of Hounslow Council, would act as a warning to dog owners to make sure their dogs are on leads and would also give information about marine life in the Thames and explain how to act around it.

Seal Watch came about following Freddie's death after he was mauled by a dog in Hammersmith.

Seal Watch members include Mary Tester, the local volunteer representing the British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR), film-maker Patrick Schulenberg, Paul Hyman (owner of Active 360), lobbyist Felicity Burch, Chiswick Councillor Gabriella Giles and Marine Scientist Wanda Bodnar.

Mary told Nub News: "The death of Freddie lit a fire in people of passion to protect seals.

"Seals are good news, people love them and are thrilled when they spot them. It's believed there are almost 4,000 seals in the Thames.

"They tend to be in the estuary but they do come further up the river to Hammersmith, Chiswick, Brentford and as far as Teddington.

"We feel that people do want to be educated about how to behave around them, there is enormous interest.

"The idea of the signs would be to place them at points where you could spot them.

"We would be looking at some of the riverside pubs, like those on Strand-on-the Green, to put up the signs outside their premises.

"The signs would not just be about seals. They would tell you what species of marine life live in the river as well as wildlife on the river.

"With an increase in marine life, we feel now is the time to start educating the public and we know there is demand for this.

'For example with seals, the public should be aware that it's not good to get too close to them. Many people don't realise that they do bite and do have bacteria in their mouths and you could be seriously ill if you got bitten.

"People should not touch, feed or chase them. They also don't like loud noises."

The Zoological Society makes regular surveys, and estimates there are now more than 3,500 seals in the Thames, mostly in the estuary, where harbour seals have established a breeding colony.

If you see a seal or other marine mammal injured or in distress, call the British Divers Marine Life Rescue on 01825 765546.

If you see a dead marine animal, call the Cetacean Strandings Investigation Programme on 0800 652 0333.