A Hatfield pet owner couldn't hide her relief after her beloved tortoise was found almost two weeks after his disappearance.

Bella Muwanga was shocked when she returned home on June 25, to find her two-year-old Hermann's tortoise Astrabacus - also known as Gus - had escaped from her back garden.

Despite desperate pleas for help, there had been no sign of Gus and hope was running out. That was until yesterday evening.

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"A neighbour three doors down was in her front garden when she saw him casually strolling up her driveway," Bella told the Welwyn Hatfield Times. 

"She was going to call our number on the poster, but her mother knew where we lived so they came around with him.

Welwyn Hatfield Times: Bella has desperately been searching for Gus since he disappeared on June 25.Bella has desperately been searching for Gus since he disappeared on June 25. (Image: Bella Muwanga)

"Metin, my fiancé, saw them approach the front door and was really excited, but tried not to get his hopes up in case it wasn't Astrabacus, but as soon as he saw him he knew it was our pet.

"He called me straight away and told me the news. I went around the office telling all my colleagues the good news, and there were a lot of jokes about how he didn't get far, as I'm sure you can imagine."

READ MORE: Hatfield pet owner desperately searching for lost tortoise

Bella express her relief and delight following Astabacus' return, adding: "We are mostly relieved to know that he's no longer outside getting rained on and knowing that he's not injured.

"Metin is a bit put out that Astrabacus is not more ashamed of himself for getting out, but he's a tortoise, I don't think he's aware of his own existence let alone capable of complex emotions.

"We are really happy to have our adorable, roving garden ornament back."