A BANK note issued by the man who built a famous tourist attraction in the 18th Century has found its way into the possession of one of his descendants following a chance meeting.

Nancy Buckle is the great, great, great, great granddaughter of Thomas Hill, who started building Knaresborough's House in The Rock, in North Yorkshire, in 1770 and issued his own bank notes.

They resembled Bank of England £5 notes, but were in fact for five halfpence and later revealed as a scam.

Miss Buckle, who until a few years ago lived in the house, has been given one of the old notes by a collector during one of her historical tours of Knaresborough.

When the man realised she was a descendant of Thomas Hill he decided to present it to Miss Buckle.

Miss Buckle said: "I can't believe this has happened. I'm so thrilled to have one of the original notes, which has been carefully preserved."

Although it was issued under the title Fort Montague Bank - the rock house was originally known as Fort Montague - no such bank existed.

Hundreds were issued before the authorities caught up with Thomas Hill.

Despite their shady past, the notes are now collector's items and are believed to be worth about £500.

The 58-year-old retired nursing sister left the House in the Rock six years ago and its present owner is Andre Gora from Pateley Bridge. He has gained planning permission to build an extension to a former Edwardian tea room in the property, which clings high up a cliffside overlooking the River Nidd.