AN otter has been spotted on the River Skerne in Darlington town centre.

It was seen leaping from water to mud banks on the river near the Allied carpets store on Russell Street.

Otters are extremely rare in town centres, but are becoming more common because of improving water quality.

Ian Dougill, who lives in Skerne Studios, by the river, was one of the otter's enraptured audience.

"I wasn't sure what it was, and then up popped the head," said Mr Dougill. "Initially it looked like a baby seal. It was a big fellow.

"When I told the Environment Agency about it, they said they like to travel upstream. I suspect it came from the confluence of the Tees and the Skerne at Croft.

"It jumped out of the water and on to the mud bank. I haven't seen an otter since I was a boy."

Mr Dougill has also spotted herons and kingfishers on the river recently. "I can't think of what to expect next," he said. "I suspect there's a few dippers nesting here.

"When I think how the Skerne was when I was younger, how it has improved is quite extraordinary."

Katy Dickson, biodiversity officer at the Environment Agency, said: "Otters have been spotted in towns before, as they can travel long distances. As their numbers grow, people are seeing them more often.

"Otters are on their way back in our area so this sighting is really good news."