A MAN sentenced to six months' imprisonment for retrieving lost golf balls from course lakes has had his jail term quashed by the Court of Appeal.

Two judges in London imposed a two-year conditional discharge, meaning that John Collinson, 36, from Chorley, Lancs, who was released on bail on May 3 pending the appeal moves, does not have to return to prison.

Collinson was jailed at Leicester Crown Court on April 25 after being found guilty of theft by a jury.

He served nine days of the sentence before being released on bail.

Sheila Collinson, Mark's mother speaking from London, said: "We are all really please at the results, he has got justice at last and we are looking forward to seeing him back home."

Dave Rostron, manager of UK Lakeballs in Adlington who Mark sold golf balls to, said: "We are all very happy. I can't wait for him to come home so I can shake his hand.

"He should ever have been locked up in the first place.

"He is a genuine person and was treating what he was doing like a job by paying taxes and raising his family through it."