An appeal has been issued after a Bearded Dragon was found roaming the borough.

The lizard was found basking in the sun on Waldegrave Road on Sunday.

Bearded Dragons can grow up to 2 feet long, including the tail, and despite their fierce appearance they are no risk to humans or pets as they eat a diet of live insects and vegetables.

The lizards originate from arid to semi-arid regions of eastern and central Australia, which suggests it would have loved sunbathing in temperatures approaching 30c at the weekend.

The lizard was found by a local resident, Milly Gunn, who took it to Squire's Garden Centre, in Sixth Cross Road, Twickenham, who have taken it into their care in the pets and aquatics shop.

Milly said: "I spotted him on a wall on Waldegrave Road just before the Library.

"I thought maybe it wasn't real at first but then was very shocked to see its head move.

"I called my partner Josh as we live just up the road and he brought along a shoe box, which is all we had to hand to hold him, and some marigold washing up gloves as we weren't sure what it was yet and wanted to handle him as safely as we could.

"He was very big, definitely an adult.

"We tried to give him some water but he seemed a bit in shock and wouldn't take any, but when I picked him up he was very calm and didn't fuss at all. We put him in the shoe box with some leaves and sticks and things."

Milly added: "At first I called RSPCA but couldn't get through, and it was 5.30pm on Saturday so the vets were all closed.

"My partner Josh had the genius idea of calling Squires as they have their animal specialists and a variety of reptiles in their care.

"They were incredibly generous and took him in. We took him on the bus - in the box of course - to Squires and he fell asleep on the way, so seemed quite content."

Update:

Milly heard this morning- Monday- that the owner has been found.