A tortoise who survived bombings in World War Two has died at the age of 106.

Churchill died peacefully at her home at the Raystede Centre for Animal Welfare in The Broyle, Ringmer, near Lewes, on May 16, just months before her 107th birthday.

She had been living at the centre for the last six years after she was no longer wanted.

The centre said she had been passed down through generations of family and friends beforehand.

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The Argus: Churchill has passed away age 106

A spokesman for Raystede said: "We have some rather sad news to share with everyone today. Sadly, one of our beautiful tortoises, Churchill, has passed over the rainbow bridge.

"Churchill was born in 1917 and survived the bombing during WW2. She lost her family and had been passed down through generations of families and friends, until she ended up at Raystede because she was sadly no longer wanted.

"Churchill enjoyed nearly six years here with us at Raystede and was a couple of months shy of 107 years old."

The centre said that Churchill died peacefully and was a "much-loved resident".

She lived with the centre's other tortoises in their own enclosure which has plenty of indoor and outdoor space.

A spokesman for the centre said: "She was a sweet natured and cheeky girl with lots of personality.

"She spent a lot of her time with her best friend Megan and was often known to clamber inside our tortoise kitchen to sample her VIP salad bar.

"Churchill passed away peacefully and without any illness and it’s a comfort that she was able to experience some beautiful spring sunshine before she passed.

"We will all miss you very much, Churchill."

According to Pet Keen, the average life expectancy of a tortoise is anywhere from 80 to 150 years.

Most pet tortoises live to be around the 100-year mark. 

Raystede is home to 20 other tortoises who all live at the centre and who are not available for re-homing.

The next oldest is Megan who is 89.

The charity was set up in 1952 and has worked to rescue, rehabilitate, rehome and provide sanctuary for animals in need since.

Each year the centre helps more than 1,200 vulnerable animals from its 43-acre site.