Conservationists say the body of a dead otter found on the banks of a stream is proof the loveable creature is flourishing in the Aire Valley.

The body was discovered by a family who live near Eller Beck, a tributary of the River Aire which lies just a few miles from Skipton town centre.

Experts, who will be sending the otter's body to the University of Cardiff for a post-mortem, say the discovery shows otters are making a comeback in the Aire Valley, where they have not been seen for the past 50 years.

Elly Andison, nature conservation officer for the Environment Agency, said: "This shows otters are definitely using the Aire and confirms they have been making a comeback in the last few years."

The body was discovered last week by the Parkinson family who live near to where it was found.

Thinking it might be a mink, they called their relative Carl Parkinson, a one-time farmer and a country sports enthusiast. He said: "When I got the call, I was pretty sure it would be a mink - but there was no doubt it was a mature dog otter. It was over three feet long and had webbed feet.

"I was astonished. I have never seen an otter anywhere near the Aire and the fact that it was so close to Skipton goes against everything I know or have read about the animal."

Mrs Andison said: "Otter sightings are so rare and the discovery of a dead one could be very important.

"The agency has a contract with Cardiff University which is tracking the spread of otters and, hopefully, will be able to establish the cause of death.

"Sadly, a dead otter was found shot in the East Riding recently and I came across a group of men allegedly out mink hunting on the River Wharfe who told me - not knowing who I was - that they were after an otter.

"I have been in charge of tracking otters in Yorkshire for 15 years - and I have never seen one in the wild."

Otters are one of the UK's rarest mammals, having been hunted to the point of extinction in the last century.