A cleaner could be in for a surprise windfall after they found seven gold bars dumped in an airport bin.

Worth £240,000, they were wrapped in newspapers in South Korea's Incheon International Airport.

If the owner does not claim them within six months, the cleaner, who has not been named, will be able to take ownership of it under a "finders’ keepers" law.

Police suspect a criminal had discarded them when he feared being caught, The Korea Times reported.

The cleaner was emptying a bin when he made the discovery. The bars, worth 350m Korean won, weighed 1kg each.

If the owner does come forward, under a "lost articles" law the cleaner will be allowed to keep between five per cent and 20 per cent of the market price of the cache - or up to £48,000.

If the gold is shown to be linked to criminal activity, he will not be allowed to keep any of its value.