Otters kill exotic fish worth thousands in garden raids

Otters have gobbled up exotic fish worth thousands of pounds in a series of raids on garden ponds across South Ribble.

- by Matthew Calderbank

One family from the New Longton area discovered their 6,000 gallon pond 'completely emptied' of fish.

Janet Hothersall was heartbroken to find her garden pond 'ravaged' by otters who devoured more than 100 fish over two days.

Among the casualties was Janet's largest and oldest koi, which weighed around glbs and was 18-years-old.

Janet said: "Honestly, know they're only fish, but it's been so upsetting. My husband has fed those fish every morning and evening in the summer for almost 20 years, and babysat them in the winter.