WHAT a lovely picture of Reg the tortoise in Thursday’s issue. Discovered halfway across the Severn Bridge, his is a sorry tale. Having been entered for the Avonmouth half-marathon by evil pranksters, he meandered sadly off-course and lost all sense of direction.

This, however, is not the most pitiful part of the story. After three months of plodding and foraging road-kill he finally arrived at the Welsh border, only to be turned back at the toll booths for lack of sufficient funds. He was found only while on his return journey.

Poor Reg; roll on hibernation. 

Julian R Powell
Malpas Park
Newport