"BURIED gold in a Belmont back garden; £190 under potatoes" was the headline in the Gazette 100 years ago.

The story reported the appearance in court of labourer Ernest Preece and domestic servant Florence Mitchell, who were charged with stealing the above sum from Eliza Ann Aldren, of Malvern Link.

The court heard that Mr John Bourne Aldren had found that a tin cash-box containing the money had gone missing from their home, where Florence Mitchell worked as a servant.

The magistrates were also told that Preece, who was "keeping company" with Mitchell, has made a number of purchases around town, paying with gold sovereigns.

He bought a record-player and records, a tablecloth and other linenware furniture, clothes and other items, also a cask of beer and a wedding ring.

When confronted with the evidence, Preece admitted that he had taken the gold - after Mitchell had told him it was there.

He told police it was buried in his garden in Belmont Road, with potatoes planted above it, subsequently confirmed when police dug it up.

Both prisoners were remanded to the Assizes for trial, with Mitchell being given bail.