A SIDMOUTH COLLEGE student has publicly thanked passengers on a Stagecoach bus to Exeter for having a whip-round for her after her wallet went missing during the journey.

A SIDMOUTH COLLEGE student has publicly thanked passengers on a Stagecoach bus to Exeter for having a whip-round for her after her wallet went missing during the journey. Lesley Bennett, 15, of Church Street, Sidford, had £80 cash and £20 in vouchers, part of her Christmas money, in her grey wallet, while travelling on the 10.14am bus from Sidford to meet a friend in Exeter to go clothes shopping. Her father Michael, who works at the relocated Victoria Laundry in Honiton, said: "Her wallet was stolen while she was on the bus. She bought a return ticket so the bus driver knew she had it with her. "Because she became so distressed a lot of people on the bus gave her money amounting to £16. She was amazed they were so kind." During her trip, the bus stopped at The Triangle, Sidmouth, and Lesley moved from her seat near the front of the bus to allow an elderly man to sit down. Now she wonders if her wallet was left behind in the move. He left the bus before she discovered the wallet, with At Bristol written on it, had gone. Lesley, who got off the bus at Newton Poppleford and returned home, said: "I was really upset on the bus and surprised and thankful about six people had a whip-round for me. "It has never happened to me before and I came back home because I had no money and didn't see the point of going into Exeter." To try to earn back some of her Christmas money, Lesley has been working extra hours in the shop at Victoria Laundry, where she has a Saturday job. If anyone knows the whereabouts of Lesley's wallet they should contact Sidmouth Police on 08452 777444, who have been informed of its disappearance.