THEY say money does not grow on trees but a green-fingered Burley-in-Wharfedale man has found cash sprouting in his

compost heap,

Les Thornton, 66, was clearing winter debris from his allotment when he overturned a dustbin lid.

To his surprise he unearthed a stash of coins stolen in a burglary at Burley's Miniature Rifle and Social Club, on Hill Top, last year.

Mr Thornton, of Langford Road, said: "I was just clearing my compost heap and I picked up a dustbin lid. There were about seven or eight bags of silver coins and six bags of copper. It was a shock. I thought 'what a carry on!'"

The keen gardener found a receipt among the bags from the nearby club and realised they had been part of the loot from the burglary, when £3,500 was stolen.

Mr Thornton said: "I just put them in a shopping bag and took them back to the club.

"It is strange that whoever took them did not come back again."

Malcolm Douthwaite, steward of the club, said they were more than happy to see the return of their money.

He said: "He is a very honest gentleman. There are not many people who would have brought it straight back. It is amazing how it turned up on the compost heap after being there since May."

The club rewarded their neighbour for his honesty and gave him a £20 share of the £80 recovered. Mr Thornton added: "I said up at the club, 'where there is muck there is money'. It must be true."

Inspector Paul Clynch, head of Ilkley police, said: "He should be commended for handing the money back. His actions speak for themselves. He has done the right thing."