Pokemon Go players disturbing seals at Whitley Bay

Pokemon Go users at St Mary's Island in Whitley Bay Credit: @_GrahamNewton

A Pokemon Go character has been banished from a coastal beauty spot in Whitley Bay after seals were becoming disturbed.

The game's creator has agreed to remove the character 'Seel' from a designated 'PokeStop' at St Mary's Lighthouse as the number of players flocking to the area was spooking the real-life animals.

Hoards of Pokeman fans have been gathering at St Mary's Island, which is renowned for being a magnet for seals.

But North Tyneside Council became worried that the number of visitors searching for Seel were having a detrimental effect on the animals so contacted Niantic Inc.

The Pokemon Company has now agreed to remove the virtual seal from the area.

A spokesperson for the council said:

Pokemon Go character 'Seel' Credit: Pokemon Go