VOLUNTEERS from the a Sale charity shop were left speechless after finding £1,000 cash stashed in a dressing table after a house clearance.

The pile of £50 notes was found in furniture brought to the British Heart Foundation (BHF) Furniture and Electrical store, on School Road.

It came from the Swinton home oa a woman who had recenlty died. She had left all her items to be donated to BHF shops to help fund life-saving research into heart disease. Three full vans of donations were collected from the house, which could raise up to £2,000.

Shop manager Gareth Green stumbled upon the £1,000 cash surprise while clearing out the dressing table and immediately returned the money to her solicitors.

He said: “It was a startling find for us.”

Andy Johnson, BHF area manager, said: “Our volunteers are used to receiving unusual or quirky donations but they couldn’t quite believe it when they found a stack of £50 notes.

“We’re so thankful for all the donations we receive and want to encourage everyone having a clear out to think about using our free collection service - every penny of profit raised from your donations will help fight heart disease.”

The Sale BHF Furniture and Electrical store is appealing to residents to have a clear-out and donate any unwanted household goods such as sofas, beds, dining tables, wardrobes and TVs.

All donations can be collected for free by calling the Sale store on 0161 825 9280 or by booking online at bhf.org.uk/free.

The BHF Sale Furniture & Electrical store is also asking local people to donate their time. Pop into the Sale store to find out more about its volunteer opportunities.