A TORTOISE was left shell-shocked and lucky to be alive after enduring a recycling process meant for glass bottles.

Murphy the tortoise, named after the Materials Recycling Facility, MRF, where he was found, has been taken in by a new owner.

Workers at MRF, a Crayford recycling plant that collects household recycling goods from across south and west London, discovered the creature on a conveyor belt at the end of the recycling process.

Sam Jarvis, manager from Recycle Western Riverside (RWR) campaign on behalf of the plant, said: "We can’t imagine how terrifying it must have been for him to be sorted like a glass bottle."

Murphy was taken to the local RSPCA centre to be checked over and was then found a new home.

* Full story in this week's Bexley Extra.