A grandmother has said she feels ‘unnerved’ following the apparent theft of her family pet from her back garden.

Shelly the tortoise has been part of Paula Savage’s family for nearly two decades when the animal was gifted to her 17 years ago.

The 18-year-old pet has been spending the summer basking in the sunshine on the grass at her home in Rolfe Lane,New Romney, but her owner now fears she may have been taken for financial gain after she could not be found on Tuesday night.

The 54-year-old said: “There’s absolutely no way that she could have got out.

“Somebody must have known that she was there.”

The tortoise is a creature of habit; sleeping in her straw bed indoors at night and found in one of two places in their sealed garden in the day.

Ms Savage added: “Part of me hoped she’d just be there in the morning. But there’s nowhere for her to go. They don’t climb, tortoises. It’s a bit concerning. It feels unnerving.”

Ms Savage believes it is unlikely that a fox would have swiped the reptile because she has not seen them in the area and thinks she would be too heavy for one to pick up. She said she had locked the gate and last saw the animal at 7.30am that day.

The much-loved pet, described as the "size of a toaster" has grown up with Ms Savage’s children and is the centre of attention when her two grandchildren visit.

She believes her weight may have been appealing to the suspected thief: “She’s big and healthy. I have to use two hands to hold her.

“Why else would anybody go into a garden to take a tortoise? It’s got to be for money.”

Ms Savage had tortoises as pets as a child and hoped her own would out-live her to be passed on to her grandchildren as an heirloom. Most tortoise species can live between 80 and 150 years.

The administrator for Nurse Plus in Ashford said: “The kids just love her.

“She knows my voice. It’s quite sad really.”

She has reported the incident to police, and appealed to anyone with information: “Please give her back, she’s worth more than money to me.”

Anyone who discovers the animal or has information can contact Ms Savage on 07930663721.