TWO orphaned otter cubs are receiving plenty of tender loving care at a Hampshire animal centre.

Yorkie and Smartie were found in Yorkshire and taken to New Forest Otter, Owl and Wildlife Park, where they are enjoying a diet of chicken, minced beef and rainbow trout.

Animal manager John Crooks said: "It's almost certain that their mother was either killed on the roads, or was disturbed and abandoned them.

"They've been sent to us and will stay here for about a year.

"They won't be on the show to the public because we want to keep them as wild as we can, but we've got another 30 otters on site."

Mr Crooks said Yorkie and Smartie were about two-and-a-half months old.

He added: "After 12 months, which is how long they'd have stayed with their mother, they will be released back into the wild.

"That will be done as close as possible to the spot where they were found."