Come back George, we miss you.

This is the plea from Sylvia and Jim Bevan, frantically searching for their beloved tortoise who disappeared after 40 years as a family pet.

Now they are offering a reward for his safe return.

The couple from Benfleet were newly married and living in Leyton, East London, when Jim bought George from Brick Lane market in the East End.

Sylvia, 60, said: "We have had him longer than our children."

Their son, 32, and daughter, 37, grew up with the tortoise and now their four grandchildren always ask to see him too.

Sylvia believes George slipped out through the garden gate while she was moving the lawn mower to the side of the house.

He is likely to be in the area of Clifton Avenue and Clifton Way.

Sylvia said: "We have told all the neighbours, phoned the police and my husband has been up to Deanes School, Appleton School and Kents Hill School just in case anyone has seen George.

"He is a standard European tortoise, about nine or ten inches long and quite heavy. I think he probably came from Greece originally. I don't know how old he was when my husband first bought him."

Basildon Zoo owner Yolande Surcouf suggested tortoise owners should security code their pets by printing their phone numbers on the shell with special markers.

Anyone who finds George should ring 01268 794588.

Shell shocked - Sylvia is keen to be reunited with wandering George

Picture: MAXINE CLARKE

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