Workers at a Suffolk auction house are facing a bleak run-up to Christmas after a worker lost £2,500 intended for pay bonuses and a charity donation.

Lockdales Auctioneers said the money - in £50 notes - fell from the pocket of a staff member who was walking towards a bank in the town centre.

The company is appealing for honesty from the public and offered a £200 reward for the money to be returned.

A spokesman said: “Someone out there is two-and-a-half grand better off.”

He added: “Our staff Christmas party is looking pretty bleak at this stage.

“Unfortunately we have had to deduct some Christmas bonuses and we have been unable to make a charity donation to a retired greyhound adoption charity in Walthamstow.

“For anyone who does the honest thing and hands this money back we offer a £200 reward.”

Suffolk Police has been notified about the loss of the money.

Posted: 11|27|07 at 9:37 am. Filed under: UK News.