Boris and Doris the tortoises at Runcorn care home

BORIS Johnson and Doris Day emerged from their shells to make an appearance at a Runcorn care home.

The pair of tortoises, named after the Prime Minister and the popular 1940s actress and singer, paid a visit to Simonsfield Care Home, on Boston Avenue.

Pets of activities coordinator Linda Warrington, the tortoises spent an afternoon being petted by residents and running around the home’s lounge.

Linda decided to bring the pair to the care home as external visits are still restricted – including from animals.

In previous years, residents have enjoyed animal therapy sessions with a range of creatures, including dogs, farm animals and reptiles.

Linda said: “Boris and Doris are house tortoises, so they only wander around my house.

“I wanted to bring them into work so residents could meet them, as we can’t bring other animals in at the moment.

“The residents were fascinated by them and loved holding and talking to them.

“One of our residents, Thelma, started singing to Boris, while Barbara didn’t want to give Doris back. Both Edna and Terri watched Doris doing a runner across the floor to the patch of sunlight. They can move fast when they want to.”

Debbie Smith, home manager at Simonsfield Care Home, said: “It was a lovely idea of Linda’s to bring her pet tortoises into the home.

“Animal therapy sessions like this can have an incredibly calming and soothing effect on residents – helping to alleviate stress and raise their general mood and wellbeing.

“Especially during this difficult time, something as simple as petting a tortoise can be amazingly therapeutic.”