A Pet shop owner breached regulations over the sale of endangered species, a court heard.

Police raided Ringwood Pets in Christchurch Road, Ringwood, and discovered that Dawn Clarke was trading in Hermann tortoises and Madagascar boa snakes, New Forest magistrates were told.

Mark Gammon, prosecuting, said the creatures were not covered by the necessary paperwork.

He said: "Hermann tortoises are one of the species referred to as Annexe A animals under EU regulations that regulate the trade in endangered animals.

"They can be sold in Europe only with the necessary documentation.

"Two Madagascar boas did have the necessary certificates but had not been microchipped, which meant the certificates were invalid.

"When interviewed, the defendant said she believed she had been acting within the law."

Clarke, who has since closed the shop and moved to Axminster, Devon, admitted five offences of selling endangered animals, offering them for sale or keeping them for sale.

She said she applied for the necessary licences and wrote "paperwork to follow" on the receipt when she made a sale.

Clarke was fined £250 for each offence and told to pay £450 in costs. The magistrates also imposed a £15 victim surcharge, making a total financial penalty of £1,465.

The 42-year-old mother of two was cleared of failing to comply with pet shop regulations.

She had been accused of keeping four tortoises for sale on the premises when she was allowed to keep only three.

However, she said the fourth tortoise was a pet that was kept in the shop for display purposes only.