Hols cash found hidden in fuse box

A widow was left stunned when electricians opened her fuse box and found a secret stash of banknotes that had been stuffed inside.

Grandmother-of-10 Jean Heath was handed the cash by two workmen who were refurbishing her home in Eastfield, Wolverhampton. The 63-year-old believes her late husband Eric had been hiding the money - which totalled £320 - in a safe place while he saved up to take her back to Australia to visit their two daughters.

"It's very touching to think that my late husband was saving up to take me back to Australia," she said.

"Just before he died we went to Queensland in Australia for the first time in our lives to visit our daughters in time for our 40th wedding anniversary and my 60th birthday.

"We had such a fantastic time that he was obviously saving to go back, and I even found a bunch of rolled up banknotes in a hedge when I was doing the gardening."

Mr Heath died in September 2008 of cancer, aged 64.

Now, Jean is looking forward to spending the money on spoiling her four children and 10 grandchildren. She added: "I've decided to spend the money on my family and I'm so grateful to the workmen for their honesty."

The banknotes were discovered by electrician brothers Oliver and Ashley Goode, who were helping refurbish the house in Hawkley Road as part of Wolverhampton Homes' £288 million Decent Homes programme.

Their boss Paul Wassall said: "Oliver and Ashley were caught by surprise when they found the money but they didn't hesitate to hand it back to Jean."

Fraser Mercer, managing director of Coleshill-based Frank Haslam Milan, which is carrying out the work, said: "Without the refurbishment work Jean might never have found it, so we are glad that she gets the benefit of a new kitchen and bathroom as well as a bit of extra money to spend on her family."