A HAMPSHIRE couple have been reunited with the pet they feared they would never see again – thanks to the Daily Echo.

An runaway reptile thought to be up to 100 years old is back with his owners – after almost being run over by the person who found him.

A Southampton man was driving along Lepe Road in Blackfield when he saw Fred in the carriageway and took him home for safe keeping.

After being made aware that a tortoise owned by Sue and Terry Phelps had disappeared a week earlier, he contacted the couple and quickly established that it was the same creature.

READ: Tortoise thought to be up to 100 years old goes missing

He drove to their home at Thornbury Avenue in Blackfield and reunited the couple with their much-loved pet.

Mrs Phelps said: “I can’t thank him enough – and I can’t thank the Daily Echo enough for making everyone aware that Fred was missing.”

The Good Samaritan, who wants to remain anonymous, was more than a mile from the couple’s home when he suddenly saw the reptile in front of his vehicle.

“He was right in the middle of the carriageway and I almost ran him over,” he said. “When I got home someone told me that they’d seen an article in the Echo about a missing tortoise.”

Describing the moment he reunited Fred with his owners he said: “I’m very happy for them. I’m glad I picked him up and didn’t just leave him there.”

Mrs Phelps added: “He was driving home and nearly ran him over outside the Langley Tavern.

“Fred was very hungry – I think he’s going to eat us out of house and home – but I’m just glad to have him back.

“We fed him his special lettuce, plus tomatoes, strawberries and grapes.

“I hadn’t had a full night’s sleep since he went missing. After he came home I sat on a bench and went to sleep while looking at him.”

The couple have had Fred for 30 years and were distraught when he went missing from their back garden.

Following his disappearance they told police that he had almost certainly been stolen.

“They still suspect he was taken and was either dumped by the thief or escaped.

Mrs Phelps said: “I don’t know what to think.

“Everyone knew that Fred was missing – I’d told anyone I could think of – and yet no-one saw him for a week.”