LITTLE Genevieve Cooper was today heartbroken after thieves stole her beloved pet tortoise.

Tolly was grabbed from the garden of a Southampton home while his owners were shopping.

Believed to be about 50 years old, he had lived at the property in Nightingale Grove, Freemantle, for most of his life, and had come out of hibernation only five days previously.

For the past three years, Tolly has belonged to the Cooper family, who inherited the tortoise when they bought the house.

They have now launched a desperate bid to get him back.

Ashley Cooper, 29, said: "He had been resident at the house for at least 40 years.

"He has been a real feature here. Our little girl does not really understand where he has gone but she will definitely miss him."

As well as the sentimental value to the Coopers, Tolly, who had a free run of the garden, had a substantial financial value, believed to be worth up to £1,000.

Ashley and wife Clare, 31, believe the thief hopped over their back wall and snatched Tolly.

The couple said their 16-month-old daughter Genevieve loved tortoises and had several toy ones, but would miss the real thing.

John Hayward, who co-ordinates the national theft register for exotic species on behalf of the Chelonia Group, said: "It does happen fairly regularly and we don't know if someone has stolen it to keep or to sell it on. But the financial aspect isn't the concern, it's the well-being of the tortoise."

Anyone with information about Tolly's whereabouts is urged to call Shirley police on 0845 045 4545, the anonymous Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111 or the national theft register on 07802 404929.