A BELOVED tortoise is back in his owner's arms after a making a daring escape from his North Cerney home.

Earlier this month, Otto Von Bismarck went missing from his home in Scrubditch farm.

The five-year-old tortoise was being kept in a chicken coop by his owner Boris Muller but somehow he managed to dig his way out of it and escape.

Boris was in a state of panic as there was no sign of him for almost two weeks.

But much to his delight, he was found nearby on the driveway of his aunt and uncle's house which is also on the farm.

Boris, who is delighted to have Otto back, said: “We really think he escape because he was looking for a lady.”

"My cousin Luke Costley-White found him outside his house.

"We think he was hiding in our summer house for a week or two weeks.”

He explained that he and Otto, who is from the Horsefield tortoise family, have a great bond.

He said that on one occasion when he collected from the vets Otto was over the moon to see him.

“His head was in his shell and he poked it out as soon as he came in the room. He is very affectionate like that.

Otto, who is named after the first ever German chancellor, certainly has an adventurous nature but Boris has taken steps to ensure that he does hatch another escape plan.

“He is kept in an open top tank which has lamps and bulbs. We take him out in the garden but make sure he is supervised!”