A rare sighting of a wild beaver captured on film has been labelled "significant" and "exciting" by animal experts.

This is the first time the species has been spotted in the River Stour at Conningbrook Lakes Country Park in Ashford, sparking hopes a colony may have formed there.

The footage captured by a wildlife watcher prompted a follow-up visit from Kent Wildlife Trust and the Environment Agency which have since confirmed there is evidence of wild beavers in the area.

The trust's Amy Fitzmaurice said: "This is a hugely significant and exciting discovery and the first documented case of a wild beaver in the Ashford area.

"It is incredibly hard to see beavers in the wild as they tend to be nocturnal, but on this occasion a wildlife watcher was able to not only see the animal, but film it too.

"On receipt of the footage we set up a site visit and there is clear evidence of beavers in the area with chewed sticks and branches laying around, footprints in soft mud and bark peeled from tree stumps.

"Kent Wildlife Trust is a member of the East Kent Beaver Advisory Group (EKBAG) and this discovery will now form part of the Kent Beaver survey, commissioned by Natural England and delivered by us and the Beaver Trust."

Beavers are a keystone species which means they are critical to the survival of the other species around them.

This is because they manage habitats in a unique way by building dams, cleaning the water of silts and pollutants.

The dams also create localised flooding away from urban areas, which creates a buffer which holds water and slows the flow.

Amy continued: "We are now keen to try and find out more about beaver activity around Conningbrook Lakes and are asking people who see them to report sightings to the EKBAG at beavers@wildlifegateway.org.uk

"It is also really important that we do everything to ensure their welfare, beavers are a protected by law, it is illegal to kill them or damage their habitat.

"We would ask that people visiting the lakes are mindful that they act in a way that will protect wildlife, in particular we ask that people walking dogs follow the country park rules and continue to keep dogs on a lead."

Beavers are known to live on the River Stour, some of the Little Stour, and at Ham Fen nature reserve between Sandwich and Deal.

In addition to monitoring the beavers, the EKBAG works to create harmony between beavers and people by running workshops, talks and a citizen science programme while working closely with landholders.