Double delight for tortoise sanctuary

Shirley Neely separated them with help from a vet over the telephone

Jersey's Tortoise Sanctuary is celebrating the birth of Siamese twins.

The tortoises, Little and Large, were born joined together by a cord.

They were born on Saturday, Little weighing 3 grams and Large weighing 7 grams.

Shirley Neely, who runs the sanctuary with her husband, separated the pair with guidance from a vet over the phone.

Little and Large are now living outside

"It is extremely rare," said Mrs Neely, who has been caring for tortoises for 15 years, many of whom are collected after customs seizures at Heathrow Airport.

"The last time I saw this was eight years ago.

"It was a huge surprise when I opened the incubator and picked the big one up and the smaller one was dangling from it.

"They are doing very well now," she said.

"It's very early days at the moment but they are both eating, which is a very good sign."

Little and Large are now living outside and enjoying their diet of bitter cress seed.