Fletcher the tortoise is located by family having Sunday roast after his week-long adventure

A pet tortoise who escaped his garden has been reunited with his owners after a family out for a Sunday roast spotted him crossing a road.

Fletcher the tortoise, of Sibthorpe, had his family very worried when they discovered he was missing on May 8. They immediately started to appeal for the public's help in locating their little tearaway.

His owner Daisy Dexter, who said Fletcher is full of character and mischief, said her seven-year-old son Buddy was particularly concerned for his pet.

Daisy even had someone with a thermal imaging camera look for him in the hope his shell had absorbed some heat — but they were still out of luck.

Now, just over a week later, Fletcher has been located and reunited with his family after what must have felt like a very long walk.

The family who spotted him were having their Sunday lunch at The Kingfisher Lodge, between Sibthorpe and Shelton, and knew it had to be Fletcher after seeing the Advertiser appeal on Facebook.

Following his week-long adventure, Daisy said: "A lovely family out for a Sunday roast spotted him crossing the road and took him into the café, one of them had seen the post on Facebook and they contacted me straight away.

"We’re all so happy Fletcher is home and safe, what an adventure he has had. So thankful to the family who found him and to owner of the café Paul for keeping him safe until I collected him."

Daisy said she looked after Fletcher for a friend during the first lockdown.

"He’s stayed with us since," she said. "Sitting through home school lessons and hanging out with us in the sun.

"He’s definitely full of character and mischief."