A GLOBE-TROTTING leprechaun has retired to enjoy a life in the sun.

Singing leprechaun Bertie O’Murphy first hit the headlines when he was kidnapped from the Three Tuns pub in Sadberge, near Darlington in 2005.

Bertie had enjoyed a quiet life as a pub mascot before he was lifted and taken on a series of adventures by a culprit as yet unmasked.

His owner, Marie Kenny, was upset when the beloved leprechaun took off but soon saw the funny side when postcards started arriving from across the world, from India to Ireland.

Several ransom demands were received along with a letter telling his owner that Bertie had sadly run out of euros and needed some cash.

In 2006, rumour had it that the wanderer was set to make his return to the pub and 21 regulars dressed as leprechauns to greet him – sadly, he didn’t turn up.

Tales of his adventuring spread far and wide and were covered by the regional and Irish media.

Despite the attention, Bertie was missing until Bonfire Night 2011 when he was unceremoniously dumped at the pub in a black bag – along with his passport.

Delighted to have him back, Ms Kenny, 64, retired from the pub trade in 2012 and took him home with her to enjoy the quiet life.

However, a trip to Tenerife to celebrate St Patrick’s Day led to Bertie’s bags being packed once again.

Ms Kenny said: “I went to Tenerife to celebrate St Patrick’s Day and got talking to a chap in an Irish bar who had heard of Bertie and couldn’t believe I was his owner.

“I went back in November and gave him to the landlord who’s having a special case made for him so nobody can nick him again.

“I’m just pleased he’s finally stopped his wandering and has retired to a beautiful, sunny island, which is what I’d love to do.”

Standing just two feet tall, Bertie O’Murphy will live out his days at The Bell in Tenerife, where he’ll put up his feet and relax after years of travelling.

Landlord John McCabe said the lucky leprechaun is now enjoying pride of place at the Irish bar.