A runaway tortoise being sought by a fire crew using thermal imaging equipment has been found.

The 50-year-old tortoise called "Mister" first went missing on Sunday after crawling through an open gate at the bottom of his owner's garden in Crewe.

He was found crossing a road by a family which handed him to the RSPCA in Stapeley.

They were alerted to his identity on Tuesday by a television broadcast.

On Wednesday, the owner Harry Nelson, 50, said: "It is absolutely brilliant, the BBC did us proud.

"My partner is over the moon and has gone to work happy."

The fire service used heat sensor equipment to search for Mister.

'White spot'

The sensors were tested out on another tortoise called "Mrs".

- Mr Nelson said:"You could see a white spot moving in the undergrowth."

"There were four of them looking, but I am amazed at the amount of ground he covers," he added.

Mister has belonged to Mr Nelson's partner Beverley for 28 years.

The gate at the bottom of the garden opens onto a busy council allotment.

Mr Nelson had told BBC News Online:"They are using tractors on the allotment, and it is very disturbing."

Cheshire Fire Service spokesman Evan Morris said the operation to find Mister had not jeopardised emergency calls and the crew had been happy to help.