A plucky tortoise that was missing for five months was returned to its owners safe and well last week - only to find a new man in his place.

Lawrence the tortoise was handed in to Twickenham Veterinary Surgery on March 27 and was returned to his owner Majda Rida, who lives in Staines Road.

Ms Rida said Lawrence completely disappeared one evening five months ago, and she dug up the family’s garden looking for him.

She said: "We weren’t sure what had happened to him, we thought maybe a fox had got him.

"We had almost given up hope until we got a call from the vet to say he had been found."

The Ridas have two other tortoises, Lawrence's old friend Lola and Herbie, who was bought while Lawrence was still missing.

Ms Rida said she hoped Lawrence would not clash with the new male tortoise, or feel he had been replaced.

Ms Rida said Lawrence has lost a nail and suffered some minor damage to his shell and she believed he buried himself to hibernate through the colder months.

She said: "It’s great to have him back. My son, Digby, is especially pleased.

"He is a very adventurous sort of tortoise."