The new £50,000 “seal rescue” facilities include a new improved indoor seal hospital and novel seal academy.

Senior aquarist Christine Pitcher said: “The academy will provide an introduction to the five Rs, namely rescue, rehabilitation, release, research and retirement.

“We will have interactive machines enabling people to compare their vision and heartbeats with those of a seal and we will invite volunteers to help with mock medical examinations on rescued pups.”

As the launch happened outside of the seal breeding season, the new hospital does not as yet have patients.

However, to ensure the launch went with a bang, birthday guests of Sally’s from the 1st Heacham Scout Troop were recruited to help other guests picture the sort of scene which will happen when pups start arriving for real.

Sally was born at another seal facility during the outbreak of the deadly seal virus PDV in 1988.

By the time the virus had run its course, she was too accustomed to human care to be released into the wild.

Sally then fell in into the hands of an animal dealer, said Miss Pitcher.

She later contracted a serious eye infection rendering her partially blind and it was was then that the Southern Promenade sanctuary stepped in to provide her with a new home – and she has been a popular resident since.

“She is renowned for her gentleness with rescued pups,” said Miss Pitcher. “She will invariably let them eat first at feeding times, waiting until they’ve had their fill before tucking in herself.

“She is a joy to look after and a big favourite with all the staff here.”