TWO otters have been killed on Worcester's roads in the last week as a result of flooding.

The latest deaths bring the total of otters killed on roads to four in the last year.

Worcestershire Wildlife Trust has said everyone is aware of the problems flood waters bring to homes and businesses, but the effects on wildlife are often forgotten about.

Jurjen Annen, water for wetlands officer, explained: "We know all too well the problems flooding has caused people, and it creates dangers for otters too.

"They are forced out of rivers when water levels rise, leaving no space for them to swim under any road bridges.

"Sadly this means they have to go up onto roads like the A4440, a major road that bisects the floodplain.

"Unfortunately, in just one week, two male otters were run over there."

However, the wildlife trust states otter populations are gradually increasing, and these accidents show the animals are travelling through and around Worcester.

They also state the bodies of dead otters can be used for valuable research, providing information on the general health and population of the species.

Otter populations are steadily recovering after a rapid decline during the 1950s to the 1970s.

They were almost lost from the West Midlands region due to the pollution of watercourses.

But since pesticides have been banned, otter populations have been slowly recovering and they are now protected by the Wildlife and Countryside Act which states they can not be killed, kept or sold except under a licence.

If anyone spots a dead otter, Worcestershire Wildlife Trust would like to be notified.

Contact the trust on 01905 754919 or email enquiries@worcestershirewildlifetrust.org