Otters have been discovered in a Cockermouth beck near a housing development site, prompting residents to call for the river to be fenced off.

Peter Skillen, of Slatefell, is a wildlife photographer and artist.

He has been monitoring the otters in Tom Rudd Beck, near to the Strawberry How site being developed by Story Homes.

Mr Skillen teamed up with environmental campaigner Dr Jack Abernethy, of Woodville Park, to set up a page on social networking website Facebook, the Otters of Tom Rudd Beck, to get support for the protected species.

He has found two otter homes, called holts, and said there were at least one female and two young there.

Story Homes has acknowledged they are there and said it will take measures to protect them, Dr Abernethy is keen for them to do more.

Dr Abernethy, who was awarded an OBE for services to the environment, said: "Peter has found holts within 25 metres of the site.

"He has recorded them on motion-activated cameras. I want to make the relevant people aware of what is here."

In its planning application for the 320-home development, Story Homes has included a new 'blue corridor', an ecological area that separates the two main built phases of development.

Following the discovery of otters, the company will now expand on this.

In a letter to Dr Abernethy, Adam McNally, of Story Homes, said: “In light of the ongoing otter activity in the area, Story Homes shall commit to introducing artificial otter habitat within the site upon completion of the blue corridor' works.

“We see this as an excellent opportunity to encourage the protected species to the site and will create an attractive and diverse environment for the benefit of new and existing residents to enjoy while making use of new leisure walks.”

Dr Abernethy said: “I'm happy as far as it goes but am still worried about what they will do to really protect otters during the construction process.

"As they progress towards the river there is more chance they will disturb or accidentally damage them.

“I would like them to fence the river off and create a physical barrier. This would not cost a lot of money and allow the river to regenerate.

“I would like them to do a bit more than they need to legally to demonstrate their goodwill.”

A Story Homes spokesperson said: "There is already fencing around the field which we will move around as necessary depending on where work is taking place."

The company also had to halt hedge removal work recently, following the discovery of nesting blackbirds.

Police were called to Strawberry How after construction workers started to take down a hedge.

A spokesman said: "An ecologist will be going down every other week. We will remove the hedge once the blackbird has gone. We have done various checks."