A WOMAN who watched as a man ran off with £190 of birthday money she dropped on the floor says her faith in "the goodness of others" has been restored - after friends rallied to replace the funds in less than 24 hours.

Selina Arrowsmith, from Newtown, was walking down Westfield Street, St Helens yesterday, Monday, October 22 with the money - given to her the day before for her 22nd birthday - in her pocket.

She says the envelope holding the £180 of the money fell out of her pocket outside Cash Converters.

But before she could pick it up a man from outside the shop ran over and scooped it up before running away.

However, after taking to Facebook, the community and her family and friends set up a Paypal and crowdfunding account - meaning that, in less than a day, they had raised the cash back.

The 22-year-old, who works at B&Q, said: "I was heading to the bank to put the cash in so I could pay off things, but before I got there I dropped the money and instead of giving it me back or saying 'excuse me love you've dropped something', he just ran off with it.

"I live on my own and that money was really needed so I was just devastated.

"When I put the post on Facebook saying what happened, I couldn't believe how much support I got - then they raised the money for me.

"I'm just so so grateful and it's proved to me the goodness of others in this town, we stick together, I've only lived here two years but I know it's just a few people who let it down for the rest of us.

"It's amazing and I can't thank everyone enough."