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Page last updated at 13:29 GMT, Wednesday, 23 July 2008 14:29 UK
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Letters wrongly sent for 19 years

A 76-year-old retired chartered engineer has had his post delivered to the wrong address for 19 years.

Raymond Southwell, lives with his wife, Jill, 66, in Salterns Lane, Fareham, Hampshire, but his post is regularly delivered to Salterns Estate.

Mr Southwell, who described the situation as "absolutely ridiculous", said even an apology from the Royal Mail was delivered elsewhere.

Royal Mail said it had taken steps to prevent the situation happening again.

Monthly calls

Mr Southwell said: "At one time we were left without post for a week, credit card statements have not been delivered leading to charges for non-payment, a birthday card has come a month late."

He added that he had also made about one telephone call a month to Royal Mail but the problem had not been resolved.

"I'm just hoping that this time it will be different - at least for a while," he said.

A Royal Mail spokesman said: "It would appear on odd occasions someone covering the regular postman is not as familiar with the area and has accidentally mistaken Salterns Estate for Salterns Lane.

"We are now monitoring Mr Southwell's mail to make sure this is not repeated and we've also put a special notice on the sorting frame to remind all staff who go on that round to deliver to Salterns Lane."



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