A WILMSLOW man has been given the greatest gift of all this Christmas after a remorseful thief returned a historic prize boxing belt stolen during a burglary at his home.

He said he was "overjoyed" when he discovered the belt won by his father Teddy Maguire more than 70 years ago had been left in a bag at the bottom of his wheelie bin.

Numerous appeals were made in the Wilmslow Express and on television when the belt was snatched on October 3.

Even light welterweight champion Ricky Hatton stepped in ahead of his blockbuster title fight with Floyd Mayweather to urge boxing fans to help police track it down.

But just when all hope of being reunited with the belt had gone it was returned anonymously to the owner. He said: "I just went out to put some rubbish in the wheelie bin. The bin was empty and when I opened it to dump the rubbish, I was astonished to see the belt in its box stood in the bin, I couldn’t believe it."

He also spoke of his gratitude to all those who helped ensure its safe return, saying: "I cannot thank the police, the media and of course Ricky Hatton enough. I am so grateful to everybody for all the help and coverage this appeal has received.

"I have no doubt that it is those appeals that have led to the belt being returned and I just want to say thank you to you all. We are so happy to have the belt back; it means so much to us.

The belt dates back to 1934 when it was won at a tournament which took place at Blackpool Tower.

The tournament was promoted by a Lancashire jeweller, Eli Percival, who designed the belt which features two boxers with their gloves up as the centre piece, surrounded by intricate metal work and chains.

A police spokesman said: "The belt holds great sentimental value and we are just happy that it has been reunited with the owner."