A SURGE in otter road deaths is further evidence that the animals are returning to the North-East, wildlife experts have said.

Durham Wildlife Trust has begun to record otter road kills and will continue to monitor the situation in case hot spots develop on certain routes.

Ten otter deaths have already been recorded in County Durham - but Kevin O'Hara, Northumberland Wildlife Trust conservation officer, said they had experienced a similar rise at the beginning of the decade, when otter populations started shifting south into Northumberland from the Scottish borders.

As many as 50 otters a year are being found dead on Northumberland's roads, but the death rate has fallen as the animals establish themselves beside rivers and streams.

Mr O'Hara said the rise in road deaths in County Durham is a sign that otters are once again moving south and looking for suitable habitats.

He said: "It's not nice to see, but the number of deaths should plateau out as populations become more settled. These are important creatures, but the populations that we are now finding across the region can sustain a certain amount of road deaths."

Jim Cokill, director of Durham Wildlife Trust, said it was becoming increasingly common for otters to be killed on the roads of the county, particularly around dusk and dawn, when they are most active.

He said: "This is likely to become an increasing issue and we want to keep an eye on the situation. If we do find any hot spots, we can take remedial action in the most badly-affected areas.

"It is one of the ways you can monitor the population. It shows otters have returned to our rivers and streams and we were able to detect otters in each river catchment in County Durham through finding road casualties."

Otters are most at risk at times of flooding, when they leave the water course to find alternative routes upstream.

Evidence suggests they are also reluctant to pass through a culvert when they cannot see through to the other side, and are again at risk when they leave the water course.

But a bridge or ledge can be built above the high water level, allowing a safe passage, even if the river is in flood.

To report a dead otter, contact your local wildlife trust: Durham Wildlife Trust, on 0191-584-3112, Northumberland Wildlife Trust, on 0191-284-6884, or Tees Valley Wildlife Trust, on 01287-636382.