Otter has a potter in Shrewsbury town centre

Shoppers in Shrewsbury were said to have been taken aback when a stray otter wandered around the town centre.

Helen Ball, town council clerk, said "the otter had a potter up Pride Hill", the main shopping area, on Saturday.

Shrewsbury Town Rangers were alerted to the strange sight and managed to catch the animal, releasing it in the nearby River Severn, from where it is thought to have originated.

"Glad to see the little chap back where he belongs," Ms Ball posted on X.

Rangers also posted video of the rescue, adding: "Well it's certainly been an eventful day so far. Thank god for camera phones as we don't think [the council] would believe our report otherwise."

Follow BBC West Midlands on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Send your story ideas to: newsonline.westmidlands@bbc.co.uk