STOLEN letters and packages have finally reached their destinations - up to a year after going missing.

Royal Mail has taken action against a postal worker in connection with the matter and has sent letters to Runcorn residents apologising for the delay.

Anne Bennion, of Brookfield Avenue, said: "I recently received a letter of apology from Royal Mail, along with a recorded package, which was dated March 23, 2005 - six months late.

"Having spoken to more than 20 of my neighbours they also received the same letter of apology with packages dating back to August 2004.

"The postman, who had been given the job of delivering all this 'late' mail, apologised and said there had been a lot of problems in this area of town for almost 18 months."

Stuart Jones, of Sea Lane, added: "I ordered a gold necklace off eBay in July and got it nearly three months later with a letter of apology from Royal Mail."

Ian Beale, from Royal Mail Customer Services, said: "We were alerted to the matter after a number of customers complained that they had not received packages.

"All of the deliveries have now been returned to our customers.

"Royal Mail would like to apologise to customers for any inconvenience this has caused."