Farewell to Blue Peter's George

George the Blue Peter tortoise will be buried today after succumbing to old age.

The tortoise first appeared on the BBC1 children's show in 1982 and is thought to have been more than 80 when he died last week.

He will be buried in the programme's garden during a special tribute show. During his 22 years on Blue Peter he received more fan mail than some of the presenters and helped millions of children learn how to care for their tortoises.

The Mediterranean spur-thigh tortoise was orginally called Pork Pie but was renamed by viewers.

George will be remembered for his part in two celebrated gaffes. Host Mark Curry marked his first day in the job in 1986 by striding into the studio and stepping on him, sending him spinning across the floor.

Guest Kris Akabusi had an unwelcome introduction to the animal, who urinated on the former 400 meter hurdler.

The show's new tortoise, Shelley, is the fifth in Blue Peter's 46-year history.