Keiko, the former performing whale, is to be given the chance to retire to a Norwegian fjord, according to locals.

The whale, who became famous after appearing in the film Free Willy, was released in to the wild in Iceland seven weeks ago, after more than 20 years in captivity.

However, he has since swum to Norway, apparently in search of human contact, and has settled in the Skaalvik fjord, about 400 kilometres (250 miles) west of the capital, Oslo.

Whale experts have expressed concern, suggesting the creature would be unable to survive a Norwegian winter and might have to be put down.

But many locals say they want him to stay on, as he will help to boost tourism.

"Keiko is eight metres long and the fjord is several kilometres long, so there is plenty of space for him here," said a spokesman for local authorities in Halsa municipality, which has a population of just 1,750.

The whale was recently released into the wild

"Offers are pouring in from people who want to give Keiko a new home. It wouldn't hurt to have a few more tourists."

Respect

However, national fishery authorities in Norway have raised objections to a whale being a tourist attraction in a nation often criticised for hunting whales.

"We reject any idea that has a commercial interest behind it," said a spokesman for Norway's Fishery Directorate.

"Keiko should get the respect he deserves as a wild animal."

Keiko was positively identified because he was implanted with a chip before being released.

The black and white whale has spent most of his life performing in marine parks in Canada and Mexico.

He was captured in 1979 at the age of just two.

Millions of dollars have been spent on preparing Keiko for his return to the wild, but experts say that he still prefers the company of humans to whales.