A TINY otter cub who was moments away from death after being washed downstream has been given a new lease of life.

A dog walker spotted the female otter cub near Burneside in Kendal and contacted the British Divers Marine Life Rescue charity.

The charity's Cumbria coordinator Sarah Neill told the woman to leave the cub for 24 hours in case its mother returned but the young otter's mum failed to show.

"It was an agonising 24 hours as we had a storm that night," Ms Neill said.

"The lady picked her up and bought her into the rescue centre. She was weak and hypothermic but we warmed her up and I fed her every two hours until she was weaned. Then she went from strength to strength."

After making a full recovery, Aeris as she was named by her rescuers, was transported to the International Otter Survival Fund's base in Skye where she will be rehabilitated before being returned to the wild.

Anyone who comes across any marine mammals in distress can call the BDMLR on 01825 765546 (office hours) or 07787 433412 (out of hours).