A little help getting to the otter side

wdnews@bepp.co.uk

Loved-up otters are being helped across the road – by their very own lollipop man, it emerged yesterday.

Charles Pickles and one of his otter friends beside the main road at Swainshill which he is helping them to cross. He will stay until the otters get used to their crossing tunnel
Warning signs tell approaching motorists of the crossing ahead

The amorous animals are being given a helping hand across a busy road by kind-hearted Charles Pickles.

A tunnel has also been built beneath the A438 at Swainshill, Herefordshire – a popular breeding ground for otters.

Until the otters get used to using the tunnel, Charles, 60, will don a lollipop man's uniform to guide them across the road.

He said: "Otters begin to mate at this time of year and spend their time traversing the road to get to the River Wye. Part of my time will be spent herding them into the tunnel but when I see them on the road I will be stepping out to stop the traffic."

Charles will wear a bright luminous yellow jacket and hold a sign instructing motorists to stop.

Instead of a picture of children, the sign will show a picture of otters.

Charles volunteered to become the otter's lollipop man after dozens were killed on the road last year.

The animals cross the busy route to get from the River Wye to the Yazor Brook.

An £80 million project to siphon off floodwater from the Yazor Brook to the River Wye included a scheme to build an underground tunnel for otters.

Father-of-three Charles added: "It cost very little to include a simple underpass which allows the otters to pass from one field to another without risking their lives trying to get across the road. We all like happy endings, and it should be the same for otters in love.

"We're hoping the new underpass will help them while they've got their mind on other matters."