A small group of otters will hopefully become familiar faces at a Norfolk tourist attraction.Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden at South Walsham, near Acle, is launching an evening otter-spotting canoe trail over the next three months.

A small group of otters will hopefully become familiar faces at a Norfolk tourist attraction.

Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden at South Walsham, near Acle, is launching an evening otter-spotting canoe trail over the next three months.

As well as trying to get a glimpse of some otters which have made Fairhaven their home, canoeists will get a chance to get paddle past birds such as grebe and coot, and graceful dragonflies.

The canoe parties will be taken out for two hours by Mark Wilkinson, the Canoe Man.

Louise Rout, Fairhaven manager, said: “The otters are certainly beginning to get more and more bold. They have been seen wandering about the riverbank in the evening. The canoe trail is a fantastic opportunity for our visitors as normally it is only our gardeners who are lucky enough to spot any otters. Using a canoe certainly gives you a different perspective on wildlife and nature and I find it quite relaxing as well.”

t There are limited places available for tomorrow's two-hour canoe trail. Further otter-spotting canoe journeys will take place on June 11, July 16 and August 20. To book a �20 place, call 01603 270449/270683.

t On Saturday, 10 Broads canoe-hire centres will be offering free hourly canoe trials on a first-come, first-served basis from 10am to 6pm. Centres involved are Outney Meadow Caravan Park at Bungay, Waveney River Centre at Burgh St Peter, Rowan Craft at Geldeston, Hickling's Whispering Reeds, Martham Boats, Martham; Salhouse Broad, Sutton Staithe boatyard, Broadland Boat Club, Thorpe St Andrew; Bank Dayboats at Wayford Bridge and Wroxham's Barnes Brinkcraft.