Veteran tortoise Fred has gone AWOL from his home beside Hillworth Park in Devizes – and owner Veronica Tyrrell has appealed for information leading to his return.

Mrs Tyrrell said Fred often goes walkabout in the park but is normally recovered very quickly and returned to her small garden.

But this time Fred’s great escape has proved longer term and he has not been seen since August 8.

Mrs Tyrrell,55, said: “He was seen and returned to my garden about midday but by the time I returned home at 4pm he had escaped again and was nowhere to be seen.

“Lots of people have been looking for him in the park since then and I have put missing posters up around the park.

“We need to widen the search in case he is hiding in someone’s garden or has been found and taken home for safe keeping.”

Mrs Tyrrell has owned Fred for some five years, having inherited him from her son-in-law.

She said: “He had him for about 25 years, having rescued him as a small child from a family who had been mistreating him.

“We are not sure, but he must be between 50 and 60 years old. Tortoises are wanderers and I have put up a tortoise proof net in the garden, but children riding past on their bikes have caught the edge of the net and he has squeezed through the gap.”

Anyone who has seen any sign of Fred is being asked to call Mrs Tyrrell on (01380) 724425.