Thousands of pounds in bank notes chased down seafront after thieves loot blown away by wind‎

Blackpool's Golden Mile earned its title last weekend as tourists chased after thousands of pounds in bank notes fluttering in the wind along the seafront. The money flew out of a Quality Street tin holding £35,000 in cash which thieves had stolen from a pensioner and then opened to see what was inside.

The 75-year-old victim from Blackburn, Lancashire, kept his life savings in the tin in a carrier bag by his side while he had been playing slot machines. It was as he was playing that the thieves made off with the tin holding £5, £10 and £20 notes. They then went a short way along the town's Promenade before opening the tin to see what was inside. At that moment a gust of wind blew and lifted thousands of pounds up into the air and along the shoreline.



At that moment a gust of wind blew and lifted thousands of pounds up into the air and along the shoreline. People passing by then chased after the notes while the thieves shoved bundles into their pockets before police arrived. Around £8,000 was picked up off the ground while a further £15,000 was also handed back to the man after the two robbers were searched.

Another £12,000 is still missing and police are appealing for anyone with the money to come forward. Police have questioned a 22-year-old man and a 16-year-old youth about the theft. A police spokesman said: 'Officers did well to gather together what they could, taking into account the wind. We would not advise people to carry around such large amounts of cash with them.'