A STOCKTON Heath shopper has thanked a good samaritan for returning £250 that she almost lost outside Morrisons.

The Gainsborough Road resident, who does not wish to be named, was at the supermarket's ATM, on Greenall's Avenue, on Wednesday morning when the machine appeared to reject her bank card.

Moving to the next cash machine, the shopper tried to once again withdraw the large sum of money, but with no luck.

The machine returned her bank card but without supplying the money.

"I went back to the car and I said my husband, 'There must not be any money in there, I'll have to go to the bank'," she said.

"He hadn't even started the engine when there was a tap on the window and a woman was stood there.

"She said 'Have you just been to the hole in the wall?' and I said yes. The £250 I had tried to withdraw had come out after I left.

"I couldn't believe it. I tried to give her money to say thank you but she wouldn't take it. I don't even know her name or where she lives to send some flowers.

The woman said she was 'blown away' by the stranger's honesty and wants to express how grateful she is that the cash was returned.

"There really are honest people out there and I want people to know that.

"My shopping trip could have cost me £500 if it wasn't for her, so thank you."