TWO little visitors caused something of a sensation in Maryport on Boxing Day.

Local businessman Martyn Stephenson, with wife Helen and labradoodle Aero were walking around the local marina when they spotted the two otters.

Mr Stephenson said: "They looked like otters but I have never seen otters there before."

The couple watched as the pair frolicked in the water.

"They were obviously finding food. They would dive under the water and we could hear them crunching."

Otters are typically fresh water animals and not often found in the sea.

Mr Stephenson said: "The tide was just starting to come in so the otters were still in the fresh water of the River Ellen.

"It was still an unusual sight though. I seldom post things on Facebook but shared this with a Maryport page and had about 300 responses."