A CHRISTMAS hero brought joy to a pensioner, returning a wallet containing £60, as well as bank and store cards.

Bill Cann, 83, dropped his wallet outside the Aldi store, in London Road, Westcliff.

Fortunately, Robert Griffin picked it up later that afternoon, and returned it to its rightful owner.

Mr Griffin, 35, of Frettons, Basildon, returned to work in Leigh, but saw the driving licence in the wallet and visited Mr Cann that evening.

A grateful Mr Cann said: “I think it’s a fantastic thing for somebody to do, especially at Christmas time. It’s nice to know there are still some nice people out there.

“The money was intended for shopping, so if Mr Griffin hadn’t found it, then perhaps there would be some presents that would not get bought this Christmas.”

Mr Cann, of Westcliff Park Road, Westcliff, rewarded Mr Griffin with £20 and a jar of his homemade marmalade, saying he would have lost the same amount having to replace his driving licence.

Mr Griffin said: “I didn’t want to take anything off him. The wallet had all his cards in it and he said I saved him a few bob. I’m just glad he had his wallet back.

“He gave me £20, told me to buy my kids a present, then his wife came out with a jar of marmalade.

"They seemed like lovely people.”