A football shirt with "huge sentimental value" that was accidentally sold at a charity shop has now been returned.

The Heart of Kent Hospice branch in The Mall, Maidstone, issued a desperate appeal for help on Wednesday.

The item – a 1982 replica England World Cup shirt – was on a mannequin in the charity's festive football window display.

It originally had a "display only" tag, but it dropped off at some point and was sold to a customer.

The shirt actually belongs to a long-serving volunteer at the charity, whose wife bought it for him before she passed away under the hospice's care.

Eve Allen, one of the managers at the store, initially posted a message on social media, asking for the person who bought it to come forward.

She said: "I'm hoping we can get the positive power of Facebook moving.

"We had an England football shirt in our Santa in the window. It was mistakenly sold at 12.23pm on Thursday, December 8.

"This has huge sentimental value to one of our volunteers.

"If you bought it, or know of who did, could I ask that in the seasonal spirit that you may think about returning it to store and we will of course refund you."

The charity today confirmed the shirt had been found and staff say they are "over the moon".

It was bought by Phil Greene, from Herne Bay, who runs hygiene services company VR Sani-Co, and was in town dropping off mince pies to customers.

He said: "During my lunch break I walked past the charity shop, and spotted the shirt.

"At the time England was still in the World Cup and I love a retro football top, so I went in to buy it.

"The retail assistant was really helpful, and made sure that it was okay to sell – there was no label on it at the time.

"I paid £5 for it, went on my way and texted my mates showing my recent purchase."

After seeing the story shared by KentOnline, Phil received a message this morning from one of his friends.

He said: "They were saying that I was on the website, and it was just my luck!

"I got in touch straight away. Of course I am happy to return it."