ANTIQUES collectors would give their right hand to find a piece of buried treasure in a box of tat.

Eagle-eyed Wigan and Leigh hospice volunteer co-ordinator at the Hindley shop, Marjorie Coulthard, did just that recently -- and boosted the charity's funds by £440.

Instinct told her the miniature bear donated with other goods from an old lady's home was something special.

She saved it and valuation by a Chester auctioneer revealed it to be a rare Schuco scent bottle - much desired by both bear and bottle collectors.

The bear was sold last week for the hospice fund. Had she not been so much on the ball it might have gone in the shop's children's toy box and raised perhaps 50p.

I once found a new Steiff squirrel in one for £1 before volunteers with a nose like Marjorie's appeared on the scene.

Well done, Marjorie -- but I'll bet the family of the late owner who gave it away will be sick as a chip!