POLICE have praised motorists who stopped on a motorway to gather £10,000 in banknotes which had fluttered out of a motorcycle courier's rucksack.

A group of people were seen on the carriageway of the M65 near Clayton-le-Moors picking up the cash at around 7pm on Monday.

But police, who have refused the name the courier or the firm he works for, warned people that it was extremely dangerous to walk on the carriageway of a motorway.

Despite being busy with traffic, motorists screeched to a halt so they could collect the cash -- which they then gave back to the courier once he had been traced.

Sergeant Bev Saycell praised the honest motorists but issued a warning.

She said: "It is heartening to know that in this day and age there are still honest people in the world. Nevertheless we cannot stress enough how dangerous it is for people to walk on the carriageway of the motorway."