A Lancashire couple, who did the honest thing and handed in £21,000 that they found on their doorstep to the Police, have been allowed to keep the cash.
Ian Roberts, 61, and Pam Curtis, 58, found the £21,480 windfall in £20 notes in a plastic bag inside a wicker basket outside their home. The Lytham St Annes locals, who are both retired, decided to give the money to the police because they had no way of knowing who it belonged to. After it went unclaimed at the Police Station for 28 days, the money was returned to them.
The couple believes that the money was left as an anonymous contribution for the £400,000 redevelopment of a local park as Mr. Roberts is the chairman for the committee and Mrs. Curtis is the secretary. The couple will put the money towards the park redevelopment.
Mr. Roberts said: “We called the police because it was such a large amount and they said they would take it away and make some inquiries.
“They said there was a slim possibility it could be drug money, but we have always believed this was probably some old dear who wanted to help with the redevelopment of the park.”
They have put a note in their window to thank the “hugely generous” donor for their contribution.
They initially had no idea was in the plastic bag and Mr. Roberts said: “We had no idea until Pam started counting. At first she said it could be £5,000.”
A Lancashire Police spokesman said: “They did the correct thing by notifying the police after discovering the money, which has now been returned to them.”