LOCAL celebrity Crusty Pie the tortoise has returned home to Mary Tavy — after going missing for seven weeks!

The 60-year-old tortoise (pictured right) has belonged to Michelle O’Boyle and her family for 25 years and also makes regular visits to St Peter’s Junior School in Tavistock.

Mystery surrounds the return of the tortoise, with no explanation as to how he found his way home by himself or how he opened the garden gate.

Sightings of a tortoise crossing the road nearby are also unexplained.

Michelle said: ‘My husband came home and as always looked out into the garden in hope of seeing Crusty and there he was! Chomping happily in the sunshine on dandelion leaves! We are thrilled and everything here is as it should be now — balance and harmony restored! Dog, cat, chicken and tortoise happily reunited!’

Michelle extended thanks to Mary Tavy Post Office and local residents who have been keeping an eye out for Crusty Pie during his absence from the garden.