A mother is appealing for a 'local saint' to come forward after her lost purse was delivered through her door.

Melissande Briggs, 27, of Willingale Road, Loughton, lost the Bambi themed wallet, which she was given by her son, Leo, on her first mothers day, whilst visiting shopping in Debden Broadway, Loughton, on Tuesday morning.

Despite containing several credit cards, a topped-up Oyster Card and a driving licence, the purse was returned to the family home with everything still inside.

Ms Briggs said: "I was upset as the purse holds sentimental value, I asked lots of kind shop assistants but no one knew of anything.

"When I arrived home it had been put through my letter box but with no contact details for me to say thank you.

"Recently, there have been lots of bad news, stabbings, the dog in Debden, people in Epping, guns in Chigwell and I really felt there was nothing but bad news and wondered what sort of world are we living in.

"Then someone restored my faith, there is still a community in this area."

The mother-of-one described the moment she realised her purse had been found as a 'relief'.

She added: "We keep hearing bad happenings but there is still a majority of nice people in our neighbourhood.

"If you are the kind person who found my green purse with Bambi on, I would like to thank you so much for saving me lots of time and putting a massive smile on my face."