Two teenagers have been praised after they handed a briefcase containing £5,000 in cash in to police after finding it on a bus station bench.

Will Miles and Ryan McClory, from Bath, who had been on an evening out, were shocked when they opened the case to find a large sum of money in £50 notes.

The two friends, both 17, have been commended for their honesty after taking it to police.

Will, who lives in Upper Swainswick, told the Bath Chronicle: "We were a bit shocked when we saw all the money in the case. We didn't know exactly how much it was but we could tell it was a large amount. We knew someone would be missing it and so decided to take it to the police station."

As well as the cash, the case also contained several passports, used plane tickets and some letters from the University of Bath.

The boys took it to the local police station but, finding the inquiry office closed, handed it to two police officers.

The honesty of the pair, who are studying for their A-levels at Beechen Cliff School, enabled the owner to be reunited with the money, which had been withdrawn to pay his son's university fees.

Ryan, from Fairfield Park, told the paper: "I was pleased when I got the phone call saying he had the case back. It is a lot of money to have lost and so I am glad that we managed to get it back to him."

The owner had been taking his son to enrol at the university and the money was to pay for his fees and living expenses.

Inspector Steve Mildren, of Avon and Somerset Police, praised the boys for their honesty. He said: "It's refreshing to be able to praise young people for their honesty and integrity - and I'm sure the owner is extremely grateful that his property was found by two such public-spirited young men."