If you’re struggling for Valentine’s Day present inspiration - take advice from the Marwell Zoo and consider a frozen heart of blood and fish.

This was the present that the otters at Marwell Zoo near Winchester enjoyed as a special Valentine’s Day treat made lovingly by their keepers.

The park released images today of the zoo’s resident Asian small-clawed otters receiving their present.

A spokesperson for Marwell Zoo described the photos as 'otterly adorable.'

The adorable images were taken today behind closed doors as the centre is shut due to

The animals, named Sunan, Bo, Aysha, Jiya and Sari shared some heart-shaped ‘ice pops’ made with frozen blood, fish and prawns.

Carrie Arnold, Marwell Zoo’s Carnivores Team Leader, said: “Natural enrichment is really important to keep our otters engaged and stimulated.

"These heart lollies really encouraged some natural behaviours among the group.

"They had to manipulate the lollies in order to retrieve the food by using their sharp teeth to crunch the ice to get inside."

Otters - a playful and sociable animal, eat crustaceans in the wild.

They are considered to be a tactile creature, spending time playing with objects they find using their agile, hand-like front paws.

In the spirit of Valentine's Day, Asian small-clawed otters are monogamous.

This means that they keep the same mate for life.

They can make at least 12 different sounds to communicate, including alarm, greeting and mating calls.

Marwell Wildlife, the charity which runs Marwell Zoo, has lost more than £4 million due to closures caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

The Zoo is now appealing for support to help care for the animals while it is closed.

The organisation can be supported by volunteering, giving a donation or adopting an animal.

Options for supporting Marwell Zoo can be found online at www.marwell.org.uk.