OTTERS are returning to the North West on land from where they were driven nearly 50 years ago.

The Environment Agency says areas inhabited by otters have increased five-fold in the last 25 years.

Of 322 sites surveyed in the North West, 100 showed signs of otters compared to just nine in the first national otter survey in 1977-79.

Otters can also be found in the River Ribble in Lancashire but the best area for otters is south Cumbria in the Rivers Eden and Lune.

The otter, one of the UK's most charismatic and best loved mammals, suffered serious decline across Europe in the 1960s following the widespread use of toxic pesticides.

The comeback is based upon a combination of factors including better water quality, improvements in fish stocks and changes in riverbank management.

The Environment Agency says the otter's revival is an important indicator of the health of our rivers and wetlands.

Alastair Driver, the Environment Agency's national conservation manager, said: "Despite the good news, we can't become complacent.

"Otters are not increasing as fast as we would like in some areas and we will need to concentrate on ways to protect the otter from the motor car which continues to be one of the biggest threats to otters."

Water companies have made substantial investment in improving water quality and have worked in partnership with the Agency and conservation organisations to improve riverbanks and wetlands. This work has included building otter holts, restoring riverbanks, creating road underpasses and advising farmers on otter-friendly farming methods.