TEENAGE cousins Laura Gormley and Amy Derbyshire picked up a surprise package after perusing a catalogue in a Leigh store.

They unwittingly walked out with an extra carrier bag in their possession -- and opened it up to reveal two money bags containing hundreds of pounds worth of cash and cheques.

The girls, shocked by their find, returned to Argos, where the bag was immediately claimed by a mystery owner, who left without a word of thanks.

Honesty

Now the girls' honesty has been praised by the police and the store.

Laura's mum, Mrs Karen Gormley, who reported the incident to police, said the girls, aged 14 and 15, who live next door to each other in Victoria Avenue, Bickershaw, were in Argos and put their own bags down to view product catalogues.

They left to catch the 658 bus and paid their 40p, but after discovering the find got off to return it to the store, losing their fares and without money to get home.

Fortunately Mrs Gormley is employed at the Bradshawgate, Leigh, branch of Max Spielmann and was able to give the duo their fare home.

Karen said: "Not a lot of youngsters would have returned the money, it would have been nice for them to have received some reward for their honestly, if only their lost fares.

"The owner's heart must have stopped when he realised he had lost the cash, but if the girls hadn't been so honest he would never have got it back. It would be nice if he acknowledged their action."

An Argos spokesperson said: "It is very refreshing to meet such honestly. The mystery man returned for the bag just as the girls were handing it over so we don't know who he is. There is little we can do."

Leigh Police Inspector Bill Dyke said: "The girls should be congratulated for their spirited action."