Several thousands pounds in cash has been found in a public bin in an Aberdeenshire town.
Passers-by discovered the wad of bank notes in a bin in Stonehaven on Monday, and handed it into police.
Last night community leaders praised the do-gooders, and said it reflected the nature of people in the town.
Chris Stark, the new chairwoman of Stonehaven Business Association, said: “It doesn’t surprise me that the money was handed in. Stonehaven is full of very nice and honest people.”
Police said last night there was “no suggestion” the cash was connected to a theft at Aberdeen’s La Lombarda restaurant, when two men walked in and emptied the till on Saturday.
Officers are remaining tight-lipped about exactly where the money was found, as they are trying to trace the owners, but revealed the discovery was made at a public building in the town.
A police spokesman said the money had not been found in a wheelie bin or street bin, but refused to say if it was a large industrial waste bucket.
Aberdeenshire Council said they had not been made aware of any such find.
Yesterday residents of Stonehaven were bemused at the news, and insisted they would also all have handed the money to the police.
Local councillor Graeme Clark praised the good deed, and said: “Well done to whoever found the cash and handed it in to the police.
“It certainly would have been very tempting to hold on to it but there are a lot of very public-spirited people in Stonehaven.
“I am very surprised to hear about this and it might well have been a mistake.”
He was echoed by fellow Stonehaven councillor Wendy Agnew, who added: “It just lets you see that there are very honest people in Stonehaven.
“I would hope that everyone would do the same thing and hand it in to the police.”
Anyone with information should contact police on 101.
Police keep lost property for about three months, and if the owner does not come forward the finder can lay a claim on the item.
After that, items are either destroyed, recycled, donated to charity or sold at auction.
Personal documents, such as passports and bank cards, are returned to the issuing companies.