A MAN has said 'there is still great goodness in the world' after his lost wallet was returned within a couple of hours by a complete stranger.

West Milton man Gerald Montague went for a meal with his family at the Rise restaurant in West Bay.

After tucking into his meal he discovered he had lost his wallet – but was reunited with it within a couple of hours thanks to a kind-hearted woman from Weymouth.

Mr Montague had dropped his wallet in West Bay before going to the restaurant last Thursday.

He said: "When I went to pay the bill at about 7pm I discovered to my horror that I'd somehow lost my wallet, but luckily my wife has a phenomenal memory and knew her card details."

Mr Montague said there was no money in the wallet, but it contained his debit and credit cards as well as his driver's licence.

"For me, it could have been a nightmare situation of cancelling cards and paying for a new driver's licence," he said.

"After the meal we retraced my steps in West Bay but with no luck. This was because the wallet had already been found by the woman I believe was named Charlotte, from Weymouth, who tracked me down by 8pm and phoned me at home.

"She then arranged for her parents - who were travelling back to Seaton - to meet me in Bridport to hand it over, which they did.

"They refused point blank to take any form of reward beyond my thanks."

Mr Montague shared his story on social media and it was well received.

"I posted the story not only to praise her actions but in the hope someone would know her," he said.

"The response was amazing - all in absolute praise of what she'd done.

"One person suggested it would be nice if Charlotte knew there was such appreciation for her actions.

"It's also very heartening to know so many people recognise and praise goodness." He added: "It shows there must be good within all of us and there's still great goodness in the world."