A RESERVOIR could soon be home to one of Britain’s best-loved but most elusive wild creatures.

Water company United Utilities is making space for otters at Wayoh reservoir, Edgworth, as part of a project with the Environment Agency.

The shy mammals are known to go to the lower reaches of the Irwell and Croal rivers, but they need help to entice them to roam further upstream.

The aim of the project is to create quiet areas at the reservoir so that otters have somewhere to go during the day, free from disturbance by people or dogs.

Ian Harper, United Utilities wildlife warden, said: “Otters are beautiful animals and we are keen to do all we can to extend the range of their territory.

“After two decades of sewer improvements, our rivers are getting much cleaner, fish are plentiful, and the watercourses act as the highways for the otters to travel.

“All they need is a nice secluded quiet spot to hide during the day and, hopefully, we’ll start to see evidence that they are regular visitors to the area.”

Around 200 metres of fencing is being put up in certain locations at Wayoh reservoir to stop the public and their dogs from straying off the footpaths.

It will help to create seclusion zones of wet woodland and tangled scrub close to the water’s edge and feeder streams, the perfect place for an otter’s midday nap.

Signs will be put up so people know what the fencing is for.

The fencing work is funded by the Environment Agency.

Colin Liptrot, of the Environment Agency, said: “The otter is at the top of the food chain and, as such, is an important indicator of the health of English rivers.

“Rivers are now the healthiest they have been for over 20 years and the recovery of otters from near-extinction shows how far we’ve come in controlling pollution and improving water quality and habitat.”