Chronicle to the rescue

A talented young artist who feared exam failure after leaving his coursework on the bus has breathed a huge sigh of relief — thanks to the Chronicle.

Dominic Oakes, of Esther Street, Greenacres, thought his dream of becoming an art teacher was over when he left vital exam work on the 803 Stagecoach school bus last week.

But the very day the Chronicle ran his appeal, an A3 folder packed with Dominic’s creations, was handed in to Ashton bus station.

The 15-year-old, in his final year at Mossley Hollins High School, launched a desperate bid through the Chronicle for his lost NVQ art with only days to go before he was due to hand the work in.

His grandmother Janice Oakes (60), a computer technician from Becket Meadows, Clarksfield, said: “I called the bus station the day the story went in and was told that the work had been handed in.

“Dominic got his folder back just in time because he submits it next week.

“He hasn’t wanted to bring it home again just in case so has been leaving the folder at school and working during his lunch break and after hours.

“It’s a real relief so thanks must go out to anyone who found it and handed it in.”