World's oldest living land animal meets Commons Speaker

Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle has made friends with the world's oldest living land animal - a giant tortoise named Jonathan.

Sir Lindsay presented a Guinness World Record certificate to the 192-year-old reptile during a visit to the island of St Helena.

The Chorley MP was on a five-day trip to the south Atlantic island and UK overseas territory.

The Speaker also met local dignitaries including Governor Nigel Phillips.

Thought to have hatched in 1832, Jonathan is believed to be the oldest tortoise ever recorded.

He resides in the grounds of Plantation House, the island governor's official residence.

Sharing a birthday with Alice in Wonderland author Lewis Carroll, Jonathan has lived through the reigns of eight British monarchs.

He met both George VI and the future Elizabeth II during their visit to the island in 1947, as well as the Duke of Edinburgh earlier this year.

He has lived through a number of major historical events, including the first photograph of a person (1838), the building of the Eiffel Tower (1887) and the first people to walk on the moon (1969).

Sir Lindsay, 66, has several colourful pets of his own including a much smaller tortoise called Maggie. He has previously joked that she has a "hard shell and isn't for turning".

He said: "As a massive animal lover, and owner of a three-stone tortoise, I have been really looking forward to meeting Jonathan and giving him the Guinness World Record for being the oldest recorded tortoise."