DOWN among the Carr Mill dam undergrowth, something stirs.

But could it be a creature as fiercely exotic as a mink?

For I'm reliably informed that such a creature, notorious as much for its viciousness as for adorning the backs of wealthy women, could well be sharing that sylvan setting along with the wildfowl, waterbirds and groups of coarse anglers.

The tale goes that a fur farm existed some years ago at Moss Bank, this having being converted from pig rearing. And several mink were said to have made the short escape route to the nearby dam.

A group of local old-timers I shared a jar with provide this fascinating account and they believe that a small colony of mink might have survived to this day.

ANYONE able to prove or scuttle that theory?