Smuggled tortoises seized at school

The alarm was raised by a concerned school teacher

Two rare tortoises, smuggled into the UK from Egypt, have been seized by customs after a boy took them into school to show friends.

His mother had brought them into the country from Egypt in her handbag, police said.

The tortoises were seized by police and the RSPCA after the boy took them to school in Brighton on Friday.

Sussex Police said the boy's teacher notified police after the animals were brought into class.

PC Colin Clasby - Brighton and Hove Police's wildlife liaison officer - and Chief Inspector Carroll Lamport from the RSPCA went to the school and confiscated the animals.

Police have described the tortoises as "extremely rare" and say they are worth more than £300 each.

They were in turn passed on to customs officers who have seized them under section 49 1B of the Customs Immigration Act and they were due to be taken to the animal reception centre at Heathrow Airport on Friday night.

Sussex Police issued the woman with a warning.