THIRTEEN-years-old Natalie Gormley is appealing for the return of her mobile phone.

She lost a blue Nokia 8210 on the Leigh-bound bus after checking in with mum, Karen, that she was on her way home from a late night Christmas shopping trip to Wigan on December 5.

Now Karen, of Victoria Avenue, Bickershaw, is questioning that honesty is the best policy and hopes the appeal will prick the conscience of the thief.

In August her elder daughter Laura was praised for her trustworthiness. She had returned a parcel of money she and her cousin, Amy Derbyshire, had mistakenly picked up with their shopping in Leigh's Argos store. Karen, who works at the Bradshawgate, Leigh, branch of Max Speilmann, said: "It makes you wonder if it pays to be honest.

"Natalie was on the 658 about 9pm with not many people aboard. I had rung her, but when she got off the bus she realised she had left the phone and unsuccessfully tried to stop the driver. I drove to the bus station but the bus had already gone. The £180 phone, which was in a blue sparkly cover, was a birthday present to Natalie and she is lost without it.

"It seems so unfair when you work to the adage that honesty is the best policy."

Anyone who can help can contact Karen at Max Speilmann.