Daphne Neville and two of her otters enthralled a large audience at the Memorial Hall, Wootton Bassett, on Saturday October 14.

At the meeting organised by the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust Mrs Neville's enthusiasm for otter conservation was communicated in an exuberant presentation.

She was assisted by Belinda and Bertie, two Asian small clawed otters in whose enclosure she stood, and whom she scooped up regularly.

Mrs Neville, who is an accomplished actress, author, speaker and television personality, has cared for otters at her family's mill in Gloucestershire for the past 20 years.

There were otter poster and postcard prizes for youngsters who responded to spot questions.

They even heard of the fun which the princes William and Harry had when they visited Mrs Neville's otters at home.

"Otters are the most magical, mysterious animals," she told the audience. "There is so much we can learn from the otter, which is the oldest aquatic mammal known to man, and is an ancient symbol of good health."

"Otters do need humans to help by reducing pollution and by making homes for them."

The otters who visited Wootton Bassett on Saturday were seen recently in the television Down to Earth series.

There was applause for the winners of an otter conservation competition, which involved local school children in writing and art work.

Brinkworth Earl Danby's School was congratulated on being the first winner of the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust's new annual championship shield. Headteacher Mary Palmer and Rose Scanlon, the Year 6 teacher, were happy to receive the trophy.

Their pupils Anthony Goff and Samuel Cook came first and third in the contest. Second was Natasha Covey, of Noremarsh School, Wootton Bassett. All three were awarded certificates and gift vouchers.