See a penny pick it up

The old adage goes that picking up a penny on the street will bring you good luck, but it could do more than that - it could also make you rich.

There are an estimated 6.5 billion pennies lying about in the UK, new figures show, meaning someone with the drive and the energy to find them could end up £65 million richer.

And data from car company Chevrolet even shows where to look for them.

Some £26 million worth of pennies are lying about on the street, within easy reach of those looking for them.

There are another £11 million in pennies cluttering up handbags and suitcases, £7.8 million in pennies lost in cars, £5.85 million down the back of sofas and £3.9 million lost in pockets and shoes.

However, Britons are not taking advantage of this bonanza of free cash - with 61 per cent of those questioned saying they never bother to pick up pennies left lying around.

"In an expensive world where every penny counts it's surprising so much money is unaccounted for," commented Chevrolet spokesman Les Turton.

"If it's true that looking after the pennies looks after the pounds then hopefully we've helped to point people in the direction of Britain's lost millions.

"Now it's up to them to scour the streets and search their cars and sofas to find the cash. If you find one pick it up and not only will you have good luck all day, but a healthier bank balance, too."