A colony of seals at Rhyl SeaQuarium is being encouraged to pile on the pounds.

The group of harbour seals have been put on double rations to help build up their blubber to cope with the wintry weather.

Each of the seals is getting about three kilogram’s of fish to eat every day to combat plummeting sea water temperatures.

New Display’s Manger Zoe Kelly says “usually January and February is the time to start dieting after the excesses of the Christmas holidays.

"However for harbour seals it's exactly the opposite. They need to add extra layers of blubber to insulate themselves against the icy water temperatures.

"At the moment the seawater we're pumping in to their outdoor display is about 5 degrees and for us it's absolutely freezing. However the seals are well adapted to deal with it and just increase their daily food intake to keep themselves warm.

"We're feeding them on a mixed fish diet which includes mackerel, sprats, and herring - which is their favorite.

"The seals are taking the chilly conditions in their stride, it's the poor aquarists who have to go out and feed them that I feel sorry for!" she added.

Containing approximately 110,000 litres of seawater Seal Cove is home to three female captive-bred harbour seals Wanda, Ina and Pamina coming from Switzerland 

Since arriving at the aquarium in 2009 the three seals have become firm favorites with staff and visitors alike - and their keepers have formed particularly close bonds with them.

SeaQuarium are inviting visitors this half term to help feed the seals with feeding demonstrations at 12pm and 4pm daily.