Ginger's not in a hurry to find her new mate

Lovelorn tortoise is taking things (very)slowly

- ED CHATTERTON News Reporter

A LOVELORN tortoise which escaped to find a mate 11 months ago has been found - just a mile away

Ginger dug under a garden fence at her home in Bredon, Worcestershire, before hot-footing it across fields looking for love following the death of her longtime companion Fred.

She was finally found behind a pub by a horse rider in Stanton, Gloucestershire.

Owner Sarah-Jane Muirie, 51, is now celebrating the return of her beloved pet who she has owned since she was a 10-year-old girl.

The mum-of-one had put up signs around the area following Ginger's disappearance last June but said she'd given up hope.