LAVATORY attendant Brian Mason had more than he bargained for when he paid £1 for a charity shop jacket and found £400 wrapped up in it.

The 57-year-old bought the jacket at No 8 in Pershore and, when he opened the packaging, the cash dropped on his foot.

"It was packed flat and held together by two paper clips," said Mr Mason, of Farncombe Terrace, on the town's Abbey Estate.

"When I took it to the counter they were flabbergasted. They said 'it's very honest of you'.

"I said there was no question of me not handing it over. I couldn't have put it in my pocket. I've met a lot of people since who said 'you should have done'."

Honesty

Mr Mason works for MITIE Cleaning, which is contracted to supply Wychavon District Council's toilet attendant services.

"I think Mr Mason's honesty is absolutely commendable," said Ray Steadman, general manager of No 8.

He and his staff are now trying to trace whoever left the cash in the packaging.

"Our volunteers are talking to our customers and we're spreading the word that we have found this money in a garment," he said.

It was not the first time cash had been found in clothing sold in the shop.

"On the first occasion, some months ago, we found £40 - in two £20 notes - inside the pocket of a gent's suit," Mr Steadman said. "On that occasion, we managed to find who the owner was and returned the £40 to him."