A new scheme to boost Britain's otters was launched today by conservationists.

Otters, which had been increasing in numbers after almost disappearing from the UK in the late 1970s, are again facing severe problems.

They were badly affected by last year's flooding, which forced many on to the roads where they were knocked down.

The Wildlife Trusts said at least 300 otters have been killed on the roads since July 1988.

Now the Trusts' Water for Wildlife project is working to increase the number of wetlands across the UK where otters and other wildlife thrive.

Trusts' president, Professor David Bellamy, who lives near Hamsterley Forest, County Durham said: "Now isn't the time for complacency. The fantastic benefits for otters and wetlands that this project has brought need to be built on."

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Updated: 11.05 Tuesday, June 26