AN ENVIRONMENTAL body has scotched rumours that dead otters have been found in Montgomery Canal.

But Natural Resources Wales has confirmed the carcasses of other animals were found in the water.

Rumours were circulating on social media at the end of last week that three dead otters had been seen in the canal near Buttington.

But Natural Resources Wales has now confirmed that while dead animals have been retrieved from the canal, they are a chicken and rabbits, not otters.

A spokesman for Natural Resources Wales said: "The carcasses have been confirmed as a chicken and a rabbit.

"Staff are still working to retrieve the third, but this is also believed to be a rabbit."