Baby the tortoise, missing for more than a week, has returned home - after going in search of a mate.

Distraught Linda Hay thought Baby, a Herman's tortoise in her 30s, was gone for good when she squeezed out of a gap in the back garden fence of her Teddington home.

But, days later, a knock on the door heralded her return.

And it was all thanks to Linda's emotional appeal for help to find her beloved pet.

Linda said: "The man who returned her said he found her walking around at the end of his road - quite a long way away.

"She was not any worse for wear and I have now blocked up the place she escaped from in the garden.

"I think it was the time of year that made her escape - I think she was on the rampage for a man.

"I'm just absolutely thrilled to have her back."