A SOMEWHAT unusual animal has been spotted on the banks of the Ouse.

North Yorkshire Police's wildlife unit have said that the animal is a mink, a 'non-native' river mammal.

Mink have lived wild in this country for several decades and some have held them responsible for the decline in native water vole populations.

The footage shows the mink slinking along the river's edge to pick up the body of a dead rat, which it then carries off into the night.

The film was taken at the Blue Bridge near the entrance to the river Foss by Dave Benson, chairman & director of operations at York Rescue Boat when out on patrol.