THREE girls from Newbridge were rewarded for their honesty after handing in £100 they found at a cashpoint machine.

Danielle Turner, 13, Ebony Lane, 12, and Tara Frayne, 13, have been commended by Gwent police for handing in the money one evening last November.

The trio came across the money after one absent-minded customer had forgotten to pocket their money following a transaction at the Newbridge branch of HSBC.

Alerted by the beeping sound from the cash machine, the passing girls promptly recovered the money and took it straight to Newbridge police station.

Tara said: "We did think about keeping it but then we thought if it was our money we wouldn't like it if somebody had taken it, so we decided to go straight to the police." The trio even returned to the cash machine to fetch a receipt so police could trace the person who made the withdrawal.

Ebony said: "My family are really proud of me and have been saying 'well done' to me." The girls were presented with a certificate by Gwent Police during a commendation ceremony at the Beau-fort Theatre in Ebbw Vale.

Danielle said: "We were in this big hall with lots of police. I was really nervous and I was just waiting to trip when I went on stage!"

The trio were rewarded a second time during an assembly this week at New-bridge Comprehensive school. Chief Superintend-ent Ian Johnston, head of C division, presented the girls with £25 each and said: "They are a credit to their parents and their school."

PC Dylan Jones, a school liaison officer with Gwent police said: "They showed great honesty and a sense of community spirit."

Jeff McCue, manager at the Newbridge branch of HSBC, presented them with an electronic organiser, T-shirt and baseball cap each.

Headteacher Allan Raybould said: "We are very proud of them. It is all too easy in those circumstances to do the wrong thing."

PICTURED: From left, Tara, Danielle and Ebony.