Tourists chase £35,000 flying along Blackpool’s Golden Mile

Blackpool’s Golden Mile earned its title this weekend as tourists chased after thousands of pounds in bank notes fluttering in the wind along the seafront.

Blackpool’s Golden Mile earned its title this 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.

Remarkably, 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.

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.

Liam Davis, 22, and a 16-year-old youth have both been charged with theft and have been bailed to appear before magistrates on January 13.

A police spokesman said: ‘The alleged incident happened on Sunday 24th April 2011 at Coral Island in Blackpool. A 22 year old man and a 16 year old boy approached a carrier bag that contained a ‘Quality Street’ tin.

‘Once they opened the tin it appeared to be full of cash. It is alleged that they stole the cash and made from the scene. As they ran away from the scene some of the cash fell out of their pockets or jackets.’

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Linda Hohnholz

Editor in chief for eTurboNews based in the eTN HQ.

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