Messing around on the river, this playful otter looks perfectly at home at Breydon Bridge.

Eastern Daily Press: An otter has taken up residence near Breydon Bridge, Great Yarmouth. Photo by Tommy Corcoran.An otter has taken up residence near Breydon Bridge, Great Yarmouth. Photo by Tommy Corcoran. (Image: Archant)

He was spotted by wildlife enthusiast Tommy Cocoran whose series of spectacular photographs shows the semi-aqautic mammal going about its daily business.

Known for being inquisitive and intelligent, otters live in dens on riverbanks but will only stay where there is clean water.

Tommy, of Gorleston, has been watching this otter for the past week and believes it's making daily trips to Breydon Bridge to enjoy some freshly caught fish in peace.

'Over the last three years we have had occasional otter sightings, two or three times a year,' said Tommy, 52.

'But recently one has been making daily visits. I think it brings its catch onto the bridge structure to avoid scavengers, like gulls.

'There doesn't seem to be a set time, though most often between 10am and 2pm. It ranges in all directions but usually within 200m of the bridge. The best place to look out for it would probably be on the riverbank just south west of the bridge.'

Tommy, who works near the bridge, said the otter seemed unconcerned by humans, which makes capturing close up pictures all the more easy.

'I have seen it hunting, playing - it rolls around in seaweed, feeding on flounders, dabs, and crabs and sleeping, curled up behind one of the posts. Other aquatic mammals we see are grey and common Seals and, on two occasions, harbour porpoise.'

Tommy's latest pictures were taken on Monday using a digital bridge camera.