New homes have been found for more than 40 otters which featured in the Otter Wey community art trail.

The otters, which brought such delight to the community went on parade at Farnham Castle for one last time on Monday 9 July before being auctioned.

The auction which was sponsored by Kidd Rapinet was well attended and guests bid generously to secure their otter of choice. Many of the otters will now be displayed in private gardens or in the offices of local businesses as well as some of the schools and community organisations that decorated them.

Councillor Mike Hodge who devised the project said: “I am absolutely delighted that the auction was such a resounding success and I am thrilled that through the generosity of bidders at the auction and sponsors of the whole initiative we were able to raise more than £25,000 from the Otter Wey Community Art Project to contribute to two very important local charities. I am profoundly grateful to everyone involved for making the project such a success, and to the people of Farnham who so warmly embraced and supported it.”

The one-metre tall otters were decorated by a mix of professional, amateur and community group artists and sponsored by local businesses and organisations.

The fundraising community art project was adopted by the former Mayor of Farnham, Councillor Mike Hodge to raise money for Woodlarks and Brightwells Gostrey Centre, which are the charities he supported during his Mayoral year.

The project was run by Farnham Lions, Blooming Arts and Councillor Hodge. Additional support was given by the Farnham South Street Trust, Farnham Institute charities and a range of community organisations and businesses.