OTTERS could return to Warrington in the future as the water quality of the Mersey improves.
The recently published National Otter Survey For England stated that the creatures are on the increase in the north west, although not in Warrington specifically.
However, with the improvements to the Mersey, the possibility of seeing the creatures in the future cannot be ruled out.
A spokesman for the Environment Agency said: "The water quality in the Mersey has improved a great deal, and it now supports a wide variety of fish species in the Warrington area, including salmon.
"So, although the surveyors didn't find any positive signs of otters in the Warrington area this time, it's quite possible that they will return in the future."
She added that although otters tend to avoid rivers in urban areas, on rare occasions they have been spotted in towns, usually at night and in places where the river habitat offers them plenty of cover.
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