STAFF at a Gwent upcycling business were shocked to discover a large quantity of cash hidden inside an antique bible which they were in the process of selling following its donation.

Monmouthshire Upcycle's deputy project manager Kristian Vaughan-Adkins explained that he was midway through selling the bible to a customer for £15 when he leafed through it and found the money.

"It was folded in a moneybag in the middle of the bible," he said.

"I was relieved that I looked through the book before selling it."

The owner of the bible had donated it earlier that day when Monmouthshire Upcycle were conducting a house move for them.

"This meant they were very easy to track down," said Mr Vaughan-Adkins.

"They were relieved that we had found it, although they knew nothing about it."

He went on to explain that the book's owner had been given the bible themselves by an elderly relative suffering from dementia, who had taken to hiding money.

"The owner intends to put the money into their relative's bank account to assist with paying for care costs," said Mr Vaughan-Adkins.