Two schoolgirls were sprinkled with Christmas magic when they found thousands of pounds literally blowing in the wind.

They were on their way to school when they spotted confetti-like pieces of paper sweeping across the street.

They traced the flurry to a rubbish bin, looked inside and found a plastic bag brimming with shredded notes.

They reported the find to their school, which contacted Brighton and Hove police.

Everyone thought the cash was fake but Bank of England experts confirmed the money was real.

Police ruled that since no one had claimed ownership of the money, the girls could keep it.

The two friends and their families are left with one problem - they will have to piece together the bits to make complete notes before they can exchange them for new ones.

Police estimate 11-year-old school chums Rachel Aumann and Maisie Balley could be worth several thousand pounds.

Rachel said: "It hasn't really sunk in yet. It's like a dream.

"I was on my way to school and it was really windy. I saw bits of paper flying around. I thought it was fake money."

The two friends intend to divide the cash equally.

Rachel wants to go on a shopping spree but also intends to save some.

Maisie's mother, Patty, has already put in a bid.

She said: "I'm having to buy lots of tape and I think we should charge by the hour for helping put the money back together."

Mrs Balley said she was in a state of shock when they were told the money was real.

Rachel's mother, Kim, said: "I assumed it was fake or stolen. When I heard they could keep it I thought they were joking.

"Mind you, I won't have much patience putting the notes back together.

"It is a huge task and I'd be surprised if they end up with more than a tenner."

Maisie said: "I was surprised and happy but I didn't think we'd have to put the money back together."

Detective Inspector Bill Warner, of Brighton and Hove CID, said: "This could be one of the most valuable jigsaws anyone could receive this Christmas.

"This is just reward for the girls' honesty in the first place."