Tortoise with burn mark found after seven years

A tortoise with a distinctive burned shell has been reunited with her owner after being missing for seven years.

Mandy Christopher, 38, who owns Little Beasties pet shop in Ulverston, Cumbria, traced the owner thanks to a social media campaign.

The female tortoise, affectionally named "lucky tortoise" by Ms Christopher, was handed back to her owners after they recognised her shell which was injured by a wood-burning stove.

Her owner, a woman in her 80s, said she was "thrilled" to have her pet back which was a Mother's Day present from her late son.

Ms Christopher told BBC Radio Cumbria that the owner did not believe she would see the tortoise again.

"She said it was the last thing she ever received from him [her son] so it is of huge sentimental value to her, as you can imagine, to have her tortoise back.

"The lady and her daughter are really pleased, just really thrilled to be reunited with their tortoise."

The Hermann's tortoise went missing while her owner was visiting a friend.

"She had popped her in her friend's garden so they could have a catch-up but when she went to leave, the tortoise had vanished," Ms Christopher said.

"She was absolutely heartbroken at the time and had no idea where she'd gone."

Seven years on and the terrapin was found by 12-year-old Logan, nine miles away from where she vanished.

"He was over the moon to find it as he loves animals but he brought her in to me after a few days and was pleased when we found the owner," Ms Christopher said.

After putting pictures on Facebook, Ms Christopher said the owner contacted the pet shop.

"She really didn't think it was going to be hers because she lost it so long ago but because of the distinctive markings I said it had on its shell, she said it sounded like theirs.

"Her tortoise had once got wedged under a wood-burning stove, and it had left a flat spot and a burn mark on the top of her shell.

"That stopped me in my tracks, it matched exactly."

Ms Christopher said she did not know where the tortoise had been.

She added: "What matters is that she's finally home."

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