A 122-YEAR-OLD chocolate bar was discovered intact during a house clearance and it’s now selling for hundreds.

The antique chocolate was found in a commemorative and still had some of the silver wrapping.

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Being over a century old, the collectors item is set to go to auction and may go for around £200.

Auctioneer Jay Goodman-Browne said: “This type of item is just so rare.

“It’s quite remarkable that it went uneaten for so long, especially as this would have been regarded as a real treat at the time.

“Sweets and chocolates were still a relative novelty, to not eat it must have been a real challenge.”

The choccy was produced by British confectionery brand Rowntree’s in 1902 and was in a tin embellished with images of King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra.

Luckily the tin had the date printed on so auctioneers were able to timestamp it.

Rowntree’s has been around since 1881 and is known for Fruit Pastels and Randoms gummy sweets.

In 1902 chocolate was still luxurious and so the owner exhibited a good self-control to save the treat.

Chocolate was still considered a relative novelty at the start of the 20th century which may be why the owner wanted to save it.

Auctioneers at Auctioneum Ltd, Bath, have valued the delicacy at £200.

The sale is set to take place on November 4 and the lucky winner will get to take the sweet deal home.

Only a few chocolate bars from that timeframe are known to exist now which prices the item up.

The silver wrapping paper was also untouched however the buyer has advice not to eat the historic dessert.

Goodman-Browne added: “It’s not in bad shape considering its age.

“It’s still got some of the silver paper, and the tin has done a good job of protecting it.

“However, I’m not so sure it would still pass the taste test!”

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IT is called the most wonderful time of the year, but Christmas is less good for your wallet.

Families can spend up to £1,800 on the big day, says MoneySuperMarket.

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So before the expenses begin, now is a good time to review your finances and see where savings can be made.

Amy Knight, from personal finance website NerdWallet, says: “Decluttering your monthly outgoings provides a clear picture of how much disposable income you have, vital for the savvy shopper.”

Harriet Cooke draws up a checklist guide to finding some extra cash before December 25.

REVIEW BILLS

EXTRA CASH: £12

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CHECKING what you spend on energy, broadband and mobiles and switching to a cheaper deal, if you can, will immediately ease your monthly outgoings.

With the energy price cap having just risen by ten per cent to £1,717 a year for the average house, it’s especially important to look at your fuel tariff.

Switching to a competitive deal, such as EDF’s new Essentials V8, would mean a typical household would pay £1,628 over the year, saving around £89 on a variable tariff.

Switching now could save you around £15 before Christmas, and if your old account is in credit, you can get a rebate from your supplier.

Use a price comparison site such as Uswitch or Compare The Market to see how much you could save, as British Gas and E.on Next are also offering rates around four to five per cent cheaper than the cap. If you are not keen on computers, ring your supplier.

The same goes for your broadband and mobile phone provider. Give them a call and ask if your fixed deal has ended. If it has, discuss switching to a cheaper one that provides an equivalent service.

SELL STUFF

EXTRA CASH: AROUND £100

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THE months before Christmas are the perfect time to declutter to make way for new gifts.

Vlatka Lake, from self-storage company Space Station, says some of the most wanted second-hand items include golf clubs, selling for an average £100 on eBay, phones, clothes, which bring in £30 a piece, bikes at £270 and watches for £170.

The best option is often posting locally on Facebook’s Marketplace, so local buyers can collect the item.

Or you can list goods on sites such as eBay or Vinted, which is great for second-hand clothes. But you will usually have to post what you sell.

If this sounds like too much, enlist the help of a trusted tech-savvy friend or child, and split the proceeds with them.

SWITCH BANKS

EXTRA CASH: £200

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ONE of the easiest ways to get some extra cash is by switching current accounts — and your new bank will do all the work for you.

First Direct and Nationwide are currently offering £175 to customers switching to their 1st or FlexDirect accounts, respectively, while Lloyds is offering £200 for moving to Club Lloyds.

Aside from the bonuses, which will be paid by Christmas, all have different perks.

The First Direct account offers a £250 interest-free overdraft, which is great if you are often in the red.

Nationwide gives up to 5 per cent interest on £1,500 for 12 months, with 1 per cent cashback on debit card spending.

Club Lloyds has a £3 fee unless you pay in at least £2,000 a month, and offers a choice of either 12 months of Disney+, six cinema tickets, a Coffee Club & Gourmet Society membership, or a subscription to a magazine such as Good Housekeeping.

SELL CURRENCY

EXTRA CASH: AROUND £53

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TRAVELLERS returning from abroad have an average of £53 of leftover foreign currency, according to Tesco Bank.

Ban Mahsoub, from the bank, said: “This could be exchanged back into sterling and provide a welcome boost for any Christmas savings.”

Try the Travel Money Max tool at moneysavingexpert.com to find out which bureau offers the best rate of conversion.

This week, Currency Online Group will give £82.65 for 100 euros, whereas Waitrose will pay £76.13.

CHECK BENEFITS

EXTRA CASH: VARIES

ARE you getting all the government help you are entitled to? Check at turn2us.org.uk.

To apply for Pension Credit — which pays an average £75 a week — call 0800 99 1234 or visit gov.uk/pension-credit/how-to-claim.

Amex users frozen out

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A MAJOR credit card company has been inundated with calls from customers after mystery payments appeared on their accounts.

American Express users said they could not get through to its helpline to query the amounts earlier this week. Others said they could not resolve the issue with the company’s live chat.

Many have been unable to use their credit cards, which have been frozen. Among those affected is Terry Pierce, 37. The company director, from London, was travelling for work when he began to receive texts asking him to approve transactions he had not made.

Four payments totalling £18.92 were taken from his British Airways American Express Premium Plus Card. When the father-of-one tried to contact American Express, he was left on hold for four hours.

He said: “It’s been so much additional stress. My card is frozen so I can’t use it. I have no idea of the source of these transactions.” We asked Amex about its helpline issues and if it was aware of a bigger issue.

A spokesperson said: “Our specialist fraud team thoroughly investigates all fraud claims and American Express members are not liable for this kind of unauthorised charge.”

It is understood that Amex has added extra resources to its call centre to reduce wait times.

If you think your credit card has been compromised then call your bank so it can freeze your card.

Usually you will be reimbursed for charges you have not made.

By Adelle Cook

A LUCKY lottery winner had to beg his boss for time off to cash in his winning ticket.

Before scooping up the colossal £200k jackpot, prize winner Paul had to request the morning off to collect his cheque.

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Paul Rowland, who works with the prison service national distribution centre, thankfully was permitted to pick up his winnings.

The dad-of-three said: “But I said I would try to come in for the afternoon! Now I’m definitely going back in because I want to take my cheque in!

“When I started to pull my cheque out of the envelope, I saw the ‘2’ and thought, ‘Wow, I’ve won £20,000.’

“Then when I carried on pulling it out, I saw more and more zeroes. And I just couldn’t believe it.”

Paul was one of lucky residents of Breaston, Derbyshire, who won the jackpot.

The £1m pot was shared between five people on the road who now are planning a party on their newly crowned Millionaire Street.

The Rowland family are still figuring out how they want to splash the cash.

Daughters Lizzy and Charlotte, who both work as nurses, are apparently dead set on a family holiday to the Maldives.

Mum and midwife Angie said said they plan having a bit of a holiday splurge but she’s not sure what the dream vacation entails.

She added: “There will definitely be some treats for Christmas.”

The family live in a semi-detached house next to George Mounsey and Alison Browne, who also won 200k each.

They’ve known each other for thirty years and say they ‘get on really, really well.’

The trio of houses are thrilled to be celebrating their winnings together.

Alison revealed she could barely sleep she was so excited about the turn of events.

She said she kept on waking up and thinking the call she received announcing her win was a dream.

The mum-of-two now is able to fully celebrate her 40th wedding anniversary, which fell over lockdown.

As each resident was given their prize money they cheered and hugged one another in excitement.

Across the road Paul White, who has a soft spot for American cars, has an idea of what he might do with the money.

He owns a pimped-up Chrysler PT Cruise but has always fancied a vintage Cadillac – now he finally has the chance to get one.

Postcode Community Trust also supports local, national and international charities.

Winnings were also given to Derbyshire-based Treetops Hospice, which was awarded £100,000.

The charity offers care to people with life-limiting illnesses such as cancer, motor neurone disease and multiple sclerosis.

Usually the sleepy cul-de-sac of DE72 3BZ is quiet peaceful area but is now set to be the location of a massive Millionaire Street party to mark the occasion.

How to play the People’s Postcode Lottery?

For just £12 a month, players can sign up through the official website to have a chance of winning millions of pounds.

Once signed up, players are automatically entered into every draw and prizes are announced every day of each month.

Tickets play for the Daily Prize, worth £1000 and revealed every single day.

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Tickets could also win a jackpot of £30,000 for Saturday and Sunday’s Street Prize draws.

People’s Postcode Lottery also offers a £3million Postcode Millions draw each month – where your ticket plays for a share of the cash prize fund.

Winners are notified by email, text, post, or phone call, depending on the prize they win.

Jackpot winners are visited by the lottery team in person.

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AN IMPRESSIVE Matchbox toy fan boasts one of Britain’s largest collections of the toy car and is selling them for an eye-watering sum.

Terry Kneeshaw, from Darlington, County Durham, is selling 450 Regular Wheels cars that he’s collected over a period of almost 50 years.

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He started to build up his collection in the 1970s and is flogging his toys for a staggering £21,000.

The collection focuses on the artwork for each box types – A to F – by model series one to 75 and even includes colour variations and rare issues.

Terry is selling his collection through Vectis auction house as he is retiring and moving on to new projects.

Artist Terry said he was attracted to the artwork on the boxes.

He said: “I loved the paintings that came together on the boxes and I have some very, very rare ones.

“I started collecting variants and it became an obsession.

“For a lot of people the cars are the most important part of the collection but for me as an artist what was more important was the pictures.

“So when I collected, I collected all the box types.

“It may be that you see you have three of the same car but I would collect every A box, every B box, every C box and so on.

“I collected them as sets, as a series of boxes, rather than as cars.

“It was an unusual way to collect.

“But that’s me – I enjoyed it.”

He added: “I’m a pensioner now but I’ve got a new mantra in life – don’t retire, retire.

“I’m asking for another thirty years to do a completely new project.”

Vectis Auctions is selling the collection on October 30.

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THE Post Office could be handed over to thousands of sub-postmasters in an historic shake-up as its future hangs in the balance following the Horizon IT scandal.

Government ministers are exploring plans to transfer ownership to employees, similar to the model used by the John Lewis Partnership.

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It is based on the idea that its workers are each part-owners of the company and receive a share of annual profits.

The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) has asked management consultancy firm BCG to examine options for mutualising the Post Office.

Still in its early stages, a report is expected to be handed to Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds in the coming months.

The 364-year-old institution is wholly owned by the state and is Britain’s biggest retail network, with roughly 11,500 branches.

But Whitehall insiders admitted it’s in a lot of trouble and is only financially viable because of an annual subsidy it receives from the government.

A government source told The Sun on Sunday that they are currently looking at “all options” for its future after sub-postmasters’ relationship with management was irrevocably damaged following the scandal.

They are investigating other funding models and whether various government services could be operated out of its branches.

In April, Kevin Hollinrake, former Tory minister responsible for postal affairs, met trade union officials and representatives of the co-operative movement to discuss the possibility of mutualising it.

It’s understood that no decisions have yet been made, and any change of ownership could be a lengthy and complicated process.

Gareth Thomas, the minister who currently oversees the Post Office, and Business Secretary Mr Reynolds, may be asked about the BCG project next month when they’re expected to give evidence to the public inquiry into the Horizon IT scandal.

Calls for a review of the company’s ownership model have grown amid rising public anger at the wrongful conviction of hundreds of sub-postmasters.

Highlighted by the ITV drama Mr Bates vs The Post Office, it has been labelled Britain’s biggest miscarriage of justice after they were accused of stealing cash from their branches.

Many had their lives destroyed, were imprisoned, and some even passed away or committed suicide before finally being exonerated.

Former sub-postmaster Sir Alan Bates, who tirelessly campaigned for justice, is still to agree a compensation settlement and has called on the government to consider suing former directors of the company.

The institution is also facing internal governance woes after Chairman Henry Staunton was sacked in January by former Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch over alleged serious failings.

As part of their efforts to repair the Post Office’s battered finances and reputation, the government has parachuted in Nigel Railton, a former boss of National Lottery operator Camelot, as its chairman.

One of Mr Railton’s first major tasks is to find a new chief executive, after Mr Nick Read confirmed last month that he was leaving.

After meeting Mr Hollinrake in April, Andy Furey, a national officer at the CWU Union, said: “There has to be a totally new operating model for the Post Office going forward to remain relevant for society.

“The people on the frontline delivering the service to communities on a daily basis deserve a much bigger say in the running of the Post Office.”

Q&A: What it means and how it could work

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WHAT would mutualisation of the Post Office mean?

A transfer of ownership to a mutual body — such as a cooperative or company and allowing its members to have a say in how it is run.

Who would the members of such a cooperative body be?

They could include sub-postmasters, employees and customers.

What active role would they have in running the business?

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They would share in its profits and also appoint a board of directors.

What are the chances of handing over Post Office ownership for this restructure?

Any restructure process is likely to be the subject of public consultation.

What is to stop members selling off shares for a quick and easy profit if it goes through?

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Safeguarding would be put in place to ensure that the Post Office acts in the public interest and prevents shares from being sold off.

What happens to the Government subsidies which are currently enjoyed by the Post Office?

Mutualisation could mean the loss of any subsidies from the Government.

Is there any potential downside to a mutualisation of the Post Office?

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The National Federation of SubPostmasters warned in February this year that any mutualisation of the Post Office “too soon” could bankrupt the corporation.

RETAILERS face Christmas carnage as skint shoppers stay away, experts predict.

They say the cost of living crisis and fears of future tax rises mean many people will cut back on present buying.

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And that could mean more store closures and redundancies.

Last year 10,494 shops closed and 119,405 staff lost their jobs.

Earlier this month the restaurant chain TGI Fridays closed 35 sites and axed 1,000 jobs.

Prof Joshua Bamfield, of the Centre for Retail Research, told The Sun on Sunday: “Last month was quite good but there has not been much strength in the retail sector.

“I think Christmas is going to be a bit sick.

“People will still buy things but I expect they will be spending the same amount as last year or perhaps even less.”

He added: “I don’t think anyone is very optimistic about next year and I think in January we will be looking at a continuing fall in the number of stores — including lots and lots of bankruptcies.

“I think unless the Government can find a way of cheering everyone up it is going to be very slow going in October, November and December.”