Residents have reported three otter deaths on the A78 in recent months to the north of Largs.

Now the roads maintenance company Transerv could look into potential prevention measures if further evidence is presented to them about a wildlife threat.

Resident Catriona Douglas contacted the Scottish branch of the International Otter Survival Fund who in turn advised the trunk road maintenance company Transerv about the issue.

Catriona said: "Sadly, I have never seen wild otters alive in the area - sadly I saw two dead by the road before Christmas, and now this latest one during the last week.

"The area is where the water is at the 40mph limit just as you are coming into Largs where a bit of a burn comes down, and otters have obviously been following the burn from their habitat, and getting caught."

Following the report, Transerv have observed the location and have logged the matter with their environmental team, and it is hoped by Catriona that recent reports could result in possible signage going up at the location, and maybe more preventative measures.

She said: "Transerv are interested in receiving any reports of animal road casualties to determine specific wildlife movements, and identify hotspots for further investigation aimed at reducing risk to both animal species and road users in general.

"There is always the possibility of tunnels such as hedgehog tunnels and providing more awareness of the area to road users."

Janet Wildgoose, of the International Otter Survival Fund, said: "Scotland Transerv have picked up the carcass from the road and passed the information onto their environmental team, who were interested to hear about three otters being hit in the same area and were going to look into it."

Future reports of otter deaths should be given to Isla Davidson of the Scotland Transerv Environmental Team on 0141 218 3800.

Last year, Meigle resident Archie Burleigh appealed to drivers to be more aware of otters on coastal roads after he noticed the carcass of an otter on the A78 at Skelmorlie Castle shore field.

He reported the matter to the wildlife officer at Clyde Muirshiel, and said the dead otters were recorded on the A78 at Auchengarth Farm road field, Danefield estate entrance in Largs and at two Meigle all on the A78. A further two were recorded on the A760 (Kilbirnie Road) beside the fishery and just to the North of Mutton Hall cottage.