A PORTLAND landlady is appealing for witnesses after her tortoise was stolen during a Children’s Fun Day put on by her pub for the community.

George, a 20-year-old Horsefield tortoise, is about 20cm long and was taken during the event at The Clifton in Grove Road on Saturday, May 31.

Fiona Rodriguez-Gomez, landlady at The Clifton, said they put on the fun day for families in the community and had arranged for a bouncy castle, a magic and balloon show, goodie bags for children and a barbecue.

She said: “I saw some people hanging around by him during the fun day and they took him out of his hutch.

“He was taken the same day. I’m really worried about him because he needs urgent attention for his beak – it needs clipping otherwise he won’t be able to eat.”

Fiona is desperate to find George and wants the person that took the tortoise to return him.

She said: “All the kids really miss him and he’s got sentimental value because he wasn’t just part of the pub, he was a family pet.

“He lives in the hutch with the rabbit and the rabbit’s missing him as well.

She is disappointed that someone took advantage of the opportunity by taking George while the event was going on.

“I feel so annoyed and gutted that somebody could do that to us when we have put on something positive for the community.”

A spokesman from Dorset Police said: “We can confirm that a report of a stolen tortoise has been made.

“It is believed the tortoise was stolen from the pub garden sometime between 11.00am and 7.00pm on Saturday, May 31 during the fun day.

Any witnesses or people with further information should contact Dorset Police on 101.”