A baby otter found in distress by a family walking their dogs is recovering.

Luce, a two-month-old pup, was found in the village of Rigg, near Gretna, shortly before Christmas.

A family were walking their dogs when they heard the otter pup's cries and contacted the Scottish SPCA.

The baby otter, named after the river in Dumfriesshire, is being cared for at the charity's Wildlife Rescue Centre in Fife. Staff say it is being hand-fed from a baby's bottle and is also "enthusiastically" eating fish.

The otter would have died if it had been left in the wild because of its young age and the fact it is still dependent on its mother.

Scottish SPCA inspector Janet Proudlock said: "A family had been walking their dogs and heard Luce crying in distress. Sensibly, they walked away without disturbing her and left her alone for around an hour.

"We're pleased with Luce's progress. She wouldn't have survived for long in the wild as she was totally dependent on her mother.

"While she isn't yet fully weaned she is starting to eat trout enthusiastically."

When Luce is weaned, it will be taken to the International Otter Survival Fund on Skye, where it will grow up with other otter cubs and released into the wild.