A LONELY turtle from Herbrandston now has a tank full of friends to keep him company, following an appeal in the Milford Mercury.

Two months ago, we shared the story of Tuppence the terrapin, who had ‘lost his lust for life’ following the death of his companion Tango.

Keen to help lift Tuppence's spirits, his owner Liam Boulcott appealed for other turtle owners looking to re-home their pets to come forward.

A few weeks ago, Liam was contacted by Susan and Jack, who had been given a large terrapin called Michael Angelo to look after by a previous tenant.

"He previously had a sad life living in a plastic tub far too small for such a reptile and were left to the elderly couple to look after," said Liam.

"When I picked him up he was living in a small garden pond with some carp - a nice enough home in summer but really very poor for a North American reptile in a UK winter, especially if there is frost."

So, with a fond farewell from his previous owners, Michael Angelo was transported to Herbrandston to live with Tuppence in his luxury 3,000 litre fish tank ‘winter residence’.

"Terrapins and turtles are actually quite communal animals," said Liam, practice manager of the Narberth branch of Herbrandston Dental practice.

"Almost as soon as the turtles were united it was clear they had an immediate interest in each other.

"After a few hours they were lying side by side on a rock under a heat lamp in their huge indoor tank."

And the story didn’t end there.

"Seemingly Pembrokeshire is full of turtles looking for a new home and we were soon inundated with orphans in a shell," said Liam.

In total, Tuppence now has four new tank mates, Michael Angelo, Chang and Chung and Derrek, who is the smallest of the newcomers.

Liam said he was very grateful to everyone came forward, but added that Tuppence’s tank was now at capacity, so no other owners need come forward.

Tuppence and his friends will join the dental practice’s collection of animals, which are used to help build trust with and relax nervous patients.

In the summer the turtles can be seen in their bespoke enclosure within the practice grounds.