Family makes Italian lizard find

A Northumberland family discovered a lizard in their home a month after it stowed away in their car in Italy.

Elizabeth Giuliani, 38, of North Bank, near Haydon Bridge, said the five-inch long reptile smuggled itself into their vehicle during a holiday in Urbino.

Her son Daniel, three, first spotted the lizard at their house, but he was only believed after their cleaner caught it in the living room.

The bright green creature has been identified as an Italian wall lizard.

Reptile sanctuary

Mrs Giuliani said: "One morning we were about to head to Daniel's nursery when he said 'I'm just off to say goodbye to my lizard'.

"He disappeared into the back of the house where I heard him say 'goodbye', then we set off.

"I did not give it another thought - until later when I had a call from the cleaner.

"It's incredible to think it had been running round the house for a month and only Daniel knew."

She said it must have slipped into the family car as they packed to return to England from north east Italy.

The lizard is now being looked after at a reptile sanctuary after the family informed their local council.