A couple from Cornwall have been rewarded with more than �1,000 after their internet bank mistakenly gave them a bumper payout.

Ship's captain Steve Tudor and his wife Jackie, opened an account with the online banking service Egg.

The couple, who come from Looe, put just �100 in the account - but three days later it had �689,000 in it.

The couple told Egg about their windfall and the company sorted out the problem, giving the couple the �1,034 interest the cash had earned.

In the end honesty is the best policy

Jackie Tudor

Egg says a clerical error meant the figure appeared on the Tudor's account statement.

Mrs Tudor said the couple had started the account to act as a gateway to share trading.

She reported the mistake to Egg but it was a week before the money was taken from the account.

"The account kept telling us these funds were available," she said.

"We knew we could have a lot of fun with the money but we also knew that would be fraud.

"We thought it was fantastic to have so much money in the bank but in the end honesty is the best policy and they are the ones with egg on their face."

The company said the mistake had been rectified and it had sent Captain Tudor, who is in the Merchant Navy, a goodwill payment.

"We have apologised to Captain Tudor for the inconvenience this has caused him," a spokeswoman said.

"This was an isolated incident due to a clerical error and steps are being taken to ensure this can't happen again."