A 50-YEAR-OLD tortoise with three legs has been fitted with an off-road wheel to help her keep her mobile.

Winky, a female spur-thigh tortoise, was given to Longleat Safari Park four years ago. She lost her leg in an accident and has got through three basic wheels over time.

Keepers at Longleat approached Simon England, from Frome Model Centre to design and make an off-road rubber wheel and axle, which has now been fitted.

Darren Beasley, from the park, said: "Simon had provided us with a number of back-up wheels over the last couple of years but it soon became clear that, as Winky's strength grew, they weren't really up to the job.

"She completely wore down the tread on them and, as she became more adventurous, the wheel would sometimes become caught and the axle bent.

"The new system is incredible, although she's one of the oldest tortoises we have here at Longleat you'd never know it as she's now among the fastest and certainly making the most of the warm weather prior to hibernating."

A shock absorber is also being trialled to fit to Winky's wheel.