HOW often do we read newspaper stories with people asking thieves to return stolen property which has purely sentimental value with no questions asked? When we open those papers the next day or the next week it is very rare that a follow-up story appears containing news about the property's safe return. Unless you're dealing with The Citizen that is. Last week we brought you the Exclusive story about pensioner Bill Ricketts and the heartache he was put through all thanks to one sneaky thief.

Well here's the good news. Bill, of Middleton Road in Heysham, has his hands back on the precious items that were stolen from him at the Royal Lancaster Infirmary less than two weeks ago.

Bill, 74, is a regular at the out-patients department of the RLI where he has treatment for throat cancer. It is thought that his wallet, containing irreplaceable photographs, was stolen while he was in the X-ray unit there earlier this month.

Much of the wallet's contents, including more than £100 which hasn't been returned, were pictures and association cards dating back from the time Bill served in submarines during the Second World War - a period of his life that saw the Heysham man awarded with a Croix de Guerre bravery medal.

Speaking after the return of the wallet, Bill's wife Marie said: "He's just thrilled to bits about it. Obviously someone has read the story in the paper and put it straight in the post.

"All his pictures and cards were still in it but there was no note included in the envelope. The wallet wasn't damaged or wet so it doesn't look like it has been dumped or thrown away. We are absolutely delighted."

Bill said, perhaps there's honour among thieves after all.

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