‘He keeps trying to mate with garden umbrella base’: Still no love for Timmy the tortoise

Timmy Tortoise is looking for love.Pictured with his owner Andrew Gipson.Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)

Timmy the lonely tortoise is still without a hot date this Valentine's Day.

The 49-year-old pet made national headlines last summer when 11 rounds of speed dating at the Norfolk Tortoise Society failed to spark a connection.

Owner Andrew Gibson said: 'No luck with Timmy yet, still single and looking. He's in his hibernation box until around March so I will be trying again for him when he wakes up this year.'

Timmy Tortoise is looking for love.Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: ARCHANT EASTERN DAILY PRESS (01603) 772434)

Timmy has been with Mr Gibson, from Diss, since he was four. In June 2018 he explained why Timmy was in need of a love interest.

Mr Gibson said: 'I just feel a bit sorry for him as he spends most of the day trying to mate with a garden umbrella base.

'I am not too sure what kind of partner Timmy would like but I have been advised that his mate may need to be the same breed and that after 48 years, he may be a bit desperate.'

Timmy Tortoise is looking for love.Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)