A trusting shopkeeper took £187 after he left his hardware store open unattended on Boxing Day and set up an honesty box

Tom Algie faced a dilemma over Christmas - how to give himself and his staff time off but without letting down his customers.

He left a note telling shoppers who came in on Boxing Day to serve themselves and then leave their payment in the box he had set up.

When Mr Algie, 47, returned at 4.15pm to close up, he was delighted to find the shop in Settle, North Yorkshire, had taken £187.66 - and two euros. The biggest amount was £17 for a set of three-step ladders.

The honesty box was made out of a funnel and plastic cereal box, and put behind the counter at his shop Practically Everything.

The father-of-two said: "It was a spur-of-the-moment decision. I just wanted to spend the holidays with my family but thought it would be quite nice to open up the shop.

"I'm a very trusting sort of person. If a customer comes into my shop and they don't have the right money they can come back the next day and pay. It's that sort of shop. I know everybody and they know me.

"I'm delighted the honesty box worked so well. Initially I didn't think much money had been left but when I looked in the funnel I saw all these coins and notes.

"I'm thinking of doing it again but I won't publicise the date," he added.

As well as the cash, Mr Algie also found some notes of thanks.

One read: "Thanks Tom. This is why we moved to Settle. This shop would have been cleaned out in two and a half minutes in Bolton."

Belfast Telegraph