An amateur cameraman is appealing for help to identify an animal he filmed swimming in the canal in Radcliffe.

Peter Lee was walking on the banks of the Manchester, Bolton and Bury Canal on Good Friday with his daughters, Bethany (10) and two-year-old Jasmine.

As they reached lodges close to Radcliffe Riverside High School, in Spring Lane, he spotted something swimming towards him.

He filmed the animal for around 30 seconds on his video camera before it swam away.

Mr Lee, of Barlow Street, said: "When I first saw it, I thought it was a cat. Then it jumped into the water and I started filming it.

"I was very surprised. I have seen a few animals on the canal over the years, but I have never seen anything like this.

"It was amazing to see." Mr Lee (49), who works as a gardener, is now looking for help frtom anybody who can identify the animal.

He said: "I have been to a vet who said it was an otter, and I went to the owner of a pet shop, who said it was a mink.

"I'm not sure what it is."

If the animal is a mink, it may have to be caught to prevent it killing other animals living around the canal.

Mr Lee also hopes that his footage of the animal will persuade people to try to keep the canal clean.

He said: "It is a shame that the canal has fallen into such a bad state over the years.

"There are animals living there and people shouldn't be throwing all their rubbish in there." Anyone who can help to identify the animal can contact Mr Lee on (0161) 724 7320.

Watch the video and tell us what animal you think it is!