STAFF at a Cumbrian hotel turned detective after a guest moved out without taking his travelling companion – a micro pig called Sherlock.

The mystery – which unfolded at the Cecil Street Travelodge near the city centre - was quickly solved after staff used the hotel’s booking records to trace the cute pig’s owner so they could be reunited.

The pig was just one of several bizarre things which have ended up in lost property at the budget hotel chain’s three Carlisle sites.

The other finds over the last 12 months included:

* A tandem bike (Carlisle Central)

* An artist’s set of paints, brushes and an easel (Carlisle Southwaite, M6)

* A pair of diamond earrings (Carlisle, Southwaite, M6)

* And a brand new iPhone X (Carlisle, Todhills).

A spokeswoman for Travelodge said: “The micro pig was just one of the weird and wonderful things that were left at one our Travelodges in the Carlisle area. We were able trace the owner through the guest’s booking reference.

“They were quite quickly reunited.”

The hotel chain says that it has seen a growing trend in forgetful pet owners.

One animal lover staying at Brighton Seafront Travelodge for a summer break left behind their blue-eyed cockatoo called Brexit.

Another guest forgot to leave the hotel with her three butterfly tail fish called Kim, Kourtney and Khloe who travel with her as they inspire her fashion designs at London Covent Garden Travelodge.

More surprisingly, a cat show enthusiast forgot to take her two Persian cats as she drove away from Swindon Central Travelodge.

At the Cambridge Orchard Park Travelodge, staff discovered a jilted groom in his room sobbing on his wedding night.

Meanwhile, at a Travelodge in London, a royal enthusiast from the USA left for her homeward flight from Heathrow airport, leaving her Megan Markle replica wedding dress.

Shakila Ahmed, a spokeswoman for Travelodge, said: “With nearly 19 million customers annually staying at our 557 UK hotels for a variety of reasons, we do get a range of fascinating items left behind.

“This year’s audit includes: a brand new ice-cream van, a jilted groom, an amazing Technicolour Dream Coat, a 5ft teddy bear made of popcorn...

“When it comes to why so many customers forget their treasured items, there’s one common theme - living in a fast & furious world. Where time is of the essence... valuable possessions are easily being forgotten.”