POSTERS warning walkers to keep an eye out for people illegally hunting otters on the River Dart have appeared at a Totnes beauty spot.

The bold, handwritten signs have been pinned to trees near the weir at the rear of the King Edward VI school playing fields.

The posters say: "Please Watch Out for Otter Hunters on the opposite bank."

The person who has produced the poster has also included the non-emergency police number for passers-by to call if they see anything suspicious.

A police spokesman confirmed they had received a call from a member of the public on April 3 at about 5.15pm reporting a group of two or three suspicious men with five lurcher type dogs walking on the Littlehempston side of the river.

A police spokesman said: "The caller thought they may have been hunting otters on the river bank."

He added that police searched the river bank on both sides at 6.30pm but found no trace of the men.

"If members of the public see anything suspicious in the area we would urge them to contact the police. We would ask members of the public to vigilant," added the police spokesman.

A spokesman for the RSPCA said otters were protected by the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and as such it is an offence to intentionally kill, injure of take any wild animal listed under the act.

"The RSPCA is concerned for the welfare of all wild animals and is opposed to the taking or killing of wild animals or the infliction of suffering on them," added the spokesman.

If anyone has further information they can contact Devon and Cornwall police on 08452 777444, quoting log 720/03/04. They can also call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111