PROTECTED wildlife is returning to the North-East, with otters and water voles finding a safe haven only yards from one of the region's town centres.

Environmental experts say they are encouraged by sightings of both species on the River Skerne in Darlington, which was graded as poor or bad water quality only 15 years ago.

Durham Wildlife Trust has discovered water vole colonies on the boating lake at Skerne Park as well as at Cocker Beck in Cockerton and the beck in Faverdale.

Last week, The Northern Echo reported that across the region, water vole numbers had fallen dramatically as a consequence of the North American mink, a vicious predator which preys on the small mammal.

But with mink reluctant to live near human settlements, water voles are gravitating towards urban environments.

The trust has been working closely with Darlington Borough Council to establish buffer zones on the banks of the water course - vegetated "corridors" which provide cover and food for the water vole.

Karen McArthur, conservation officer for the trust, said: "They need help, as it seems that everybody wants to kill the water vole. As well as mink, rats will kill voles for their burrows and we have also had reports of men with terriers hunting them."

Sightings of otters have also increased. Last November, a man spotted an otter near the Allied carpets store in Russell Street.

Jim Cokill, director of the trust, said conservation officers had found otter droppings - also known as spraints - along the entire length of the Skerne.

But he said the sightings should come as no surprise.

"It only goes to show how adaptable the otter is. As long as there are fish in the river, there will be otters," he said.

In the early 1990s, otters had deserted the Skerne as pollution from local industry rendered the river inhabitable.

The Environment Agency intervened to reduce pollution and over a period of two years stocked the river with trout.

Mr Cokill said: "Otters came back naturally as the levels of pollution decreased. As fish numbers have grown, so have the number of otters."

Environment Agency fisheries specialist Richard Jenkins said there have been vast improvements in the quality of the River Skerne.

Fifteen years ago, a survey showed there were no fish in the river just below Darlington.

Mr Jenkins said: "The trout population is now established. Dace and chub are also moving up stream, encouraging other wildlife to the river such as otters who are looking for food.

"The Skerne is still susceptible to pollution but its health is improving every year.