A TINY turtle is on the road to recovery after being dumped in a dustbin.

The Heath Veterinary Clinic, based in Burgess Hill and Hurstpierpoint, has been nursing the dumped baby turtle back to health after someone handed it in saying it had been found in a bin.

Originally nicknamed Tiny Tim, vets believe the turtle is female and have renamed it Tiny Tina.

It was cold, lethargic and hungry initially but it was soon warmed up by the vet staff.

The reptile began to be more active but needed extra care before it started eating again.

The skin had not shed as well as it should have but with care from Heath Vets it is looking less flaky and appears to be on the mend.

Sarah Solomon, practice manager of Heath Veterinary Clinic, said: “We were really shocked to have a turtle brought into the clinic and upset to find out she had been dumped.

"Exotic pets are becoming more popular but unfortunately are sometimes sold without the necessary research, habitat or advice.

"It has been very difficult to find a suitable home for Tiny Tina as the local RSPCA centre is temporarily closed at the moment."

Ms Solomon met with the East Sussex Reptile and Amphibian Society (ESRAS), which has taken the turtle on, ensuring it gets the treatment and care needed.

Dave Breden, chairman of ESRAS, said the turtle was "extremely lucky".

He told The Argus: "It has a good home now. The trouble is lots of these are sold not by reptile shops but by aquariums. "They might know a lot about fish but not reptiles.

"If you are keeping them you should read up as much as you can before buying them. You have got to make sure you have the right kit.

"We do get rehomes in but on a smaller scale than the RSPCA gets cats and dogs.

"People can get in touch with us first for advice."