TWO honest schoolboys returned £3,000 to a businessman after finding it in a road.

Cousins Nicky Evans and Joshua Thompson, both ten, found the money lying in the road, near their home in Middlesbrough.

After contacting police, the money was returned to the owner, a businessman who had left the cash on the roof of his van and driven away.

The envelope, containing money to buy a car, slid off the roof.

But luckily for the man, Nicky and Joshua found the envelope containing the cash as they walked home from Beechwood Junior School.

Nicky said: "We were crossing the road and we saw a brown envelope with some money sticking out.

"When we went over and picked it up, loads of money fell out. We took it straight to Joshua's and called the police.

"We were really excited when we found it."

In the meantime, the anxious businessman had reported his missing money to police.

The relieved businessman said: "I felt sick when I lost it, but I was elated when the kids were so honest and returned it.

"It shows not all kids are as bad as some people make them out to be, and I'll be going out for a drink to celebrate."

The grateful van driver rewarded the pair with a £50 thank-you each, some of which Nicky spent on a necklace for his mother, Julie.

She said: "He's one in a million. I'm really proud of the boys, and they are chuffed they were able to get him his money back."