A couple accidentally threw away a box containing nearly $ 20,000 in cash and was returned to the recycling center staff.

The couple in the town of Burnham-On-Sea, Somerset County, England, moved a house to help a relative who passed away in November and toss old paper boxes in the trash in a recycling center.

The staff at the recycling center in the town of Midsomer Norton then found the money in the box while looking for power cables. They reported the incident to Somerset authorities and police who found the couple by checking the surveillance camera image.

The couple told the police that their relative had a habit of hiding money in strange places in the house and that they were unaware that the throwing box contained £ 15,000 (nearly $ 20,000) of cash.

Somerset police on December 27 shared the story on Facebook and thanked the honest staff at the recycling center.

"Without their diligence, integrity and help, the family will never know about the money found and we will not be able to return it to them, especially at Christmas", police notice said. "New year greetings to everyone, from all of us at the Somerset police station."

The Bath District Council and Northeast Somerset also expressed pride in the recycling workers, "who have worked hard throughout the year".

"This is an example of their diligence and professionalism," local officials said. "Employees with keen eyes have found that the money they enjoy on a Christmas holiday is well worth it."