A TORTOISE that went missing, sparking a desperate search, has been found in a neighbour’s garden – a year later.

Six-year-old Igor escaped from Ginny Ingram’s garden in Ashdene Close, Hullbridge, in June last year.

Despite family, neighbours and friends searching for Igor and missing posters plastered around the village he could not be found.

Mrs Ingram, 61, had given up hope but this week some new neighbours moved into the close and said they had found a tortoise while they were clearing their garden.

She said: “I went out in the morning and he wasn’t there. I put posters up and everybody was looked in their gardens. I thought that was it, I wouldn’t see him again. “Then we got this call to say he was in the neighbour’s garden. He was just there sunning himself.

“I was amazed, with all that snow he must have dug in very well. It was sunny at the weekend so I reckon he had come out from his hidey hole. I am glad to have him back.

“I will have to refence my garden before he goes outside again!”