Picture: Colin Miles of Bapchild

Animal experts are celebrating after crucial sightings of otters in Kent.

Conservationists once feared the iconic mammal could be lost from England's waterways forever.

It almost disappeared from the country in the 1970s due to the toxic effects of pesticides.

But thanks to a ban on pesticides and legal protection given to otters, it is now an offence to intentionally kill or harm the animal.

Recently the species was recovering well and had been found in every English county except Kent.

Now wildlife experts at the Environment Agency have confirmed there are at least two otters in Kent, which have built their holts on the river Medway and the river Eden.

The two sightings have delighted conservationists, who previously predicted otters may not live in the county for another 10 years.

Otters are at the top of the food chain, and are therefore an important indicator of the health of rivers.

The Environment Agency's National Conservation Manager, Alastair Driver said: "The recovery of otters from near-extinction shows how far we've come in controlling pollution and improving water quality.

"Rivers in England are the healthiest for over 20 years, and otters, salmon and other wildlife are returning to many rivers for the first time since the industrial revolution.

"The fact that otters are now returning to Kent is the final piece in the jigsaw for otter recovery in England and is a symbol of great success for everybody involved in otter conservation. It is also a fantastic reward for all of the Environment Agency's efforts in improving the water quality and ecology of England's rivers.

"However, we cannot afford to be complacent. The Environment Agency is committed to improving waterways further and will be working with community groups, River Trusts and wildlife and angling organisations who all have important roles to play in achieving this."

Otters continue to recover in other parts of the UK too, with a recent survey on the river Ribble in Lancashire showing a 44 per cent increase in the numbers of otters since 2008.