In France, three sacks stuffed with $350,000 dollars worth of francs tumbled out the back of an armoured bank van in Montpellier - because security guards had not shut the door properly.

The guards only realised their mistake when the third sack full of five-hundred franc notes hit the street.

The first sack was handed in to a police station.

But the second bag split open and the fluttering notes were picked up by passers-by.

By the time the guards pulled up to retrieve the third bag, a man had driven away with it.

Police found him at home counting the money.

He said he intended to give it back.