This 'friendly' bear visits the same neighbourhood every year and even uses locals' pools and trampolines after being accepted as a member of the community.

The large black bear, accompanied by her cubs, has visited every summer for the last six years with neighbours welcoming her - and let the family share their food.

Michael Costello, who lives near Blueberry Lane in Farmington, Connecticut, USA, said: "She comes down every year. One mama bear and her cubs.

"I know it's the same bear because she's double-tagged. It's one mama bear who's raised several generations of cubs. She has four cubs this year."

Michael says the bear is very comfortable in the neighbourhood and has started coming into his house to get at bird feed and peanut butter in his pantry.

The bear has also used his swimming pool, a neighbour's trampoline and has been seen sitting on their porches with their cats.

The neighbours are not afraid of the bear and have even taken a shine to her.

Michael, 24, a freelance animator, added: "I'm of the opinion that a lot of the neighbours aren't as scared of the bear as they should be.

"There are rumours that someone is feeding it dog food. I don't think that the bear will attack anyone - but they shouldn't feed it.

"Everyone has a different relationship with the bear. She comes to my garage to take food, with my neighbours she just sits on their porch with their cat.

"She's come into my garage four times now, she's used my pool. She's definitely part of the neighbourhood."