Officers rushed to Splendid Pets and Exotics on Walmesley Road in Eccleston following a complaint from the shop owners about a disgruntled customer.

Caroline Moreland shelled out £300 on the pet for her daughter's birthday only for it to die six weeks later.

The 33-year-old stormed into the shop to demand a re-fund but was told by owner Karen Hargreaves to first order a post mortem to discover the cause of the animal's death.

But in scenes reminiscent of Monty Python's famous 'parrot' sketch, Caroline's second visit to the shop last Thursday (June 26) to make a further complaint ended with police being called after tempers flared.

Shop owner Karen said: "I have never seen anything like it - she came into the shop with her mother and was screaming obscenities and being extremely threatening.

"She was then telling customers not to buy any of our animals because they were diseased. We pride ourselves on the welfare of our pets and we have never had any trouble like this before. She started to bang on the windows and was disturbing two of our lizards - it was terrible."

Stunned officers arrived to find Caroline had left. They spoke to Karen but she decided not to make a formal complaint.

Caroline, meanwhile, has taken the matter to trading standards, who are now investigating.

She admits arguing with the shop owners but denies using foul language, and insists she was told the tortoise - named Sophie by the family before her untimely death - would live for 100 years.

Caroline, of Trapwood Close, Eccleston, added: "My little girl, Jessica was absolutely devastated, she really loved it. She had been wanting one for ages so we shelled out £300 for the tortoise and all the equipment needed.

"We followed exactly what we had been told to do by the woman in the pet shop but then I found it dead on Monday. I must admit I was angry but we were so disappointed and upset, we feel really let down by the pet shop. I cannot believe she told me to take the tortoise to the vet and pay for a post mortem."

Meanwhile, Karen, who owns the shop with Stephen Briscoe, has declined to make a formal complaint to police.

She added: "She was then telling customers not to buy any of our animals because they were diseased. We pride ourselves on the welfare of our pets and we have never had any trouble like this before."

A police spokeswoman added: "Officers were called to Splendid Pets and Exotics following reports that two people had been banging on the windows and causing some distress to the shop owners.

"There was no damage and we gave the complainants some reassurance and advice. No formal complaint was made."