Four-year wait for Christmas card

Brenda and Brian Mole were amazed to receive the card

A Northumberland couple were astonished to receive a Christmas card from former neighbours - more than four years after it was posted.

It emerged the card, addressed to Brian and Brenda Mole's Berwick home, had actually been posted in 2003.

The card popped through the couple's letter box in East Ord after taking more than four years to travel just four miles.

Royal Mail said it was unable to account for the delay.

'Good condition'

The couple's friends Geordie and Anne Henderson moved to the Shoresdean area of Berwick, but always kept in touch. Mr Henderson died in 2003.

Mr and Mrs Mole had already received a Christmas card from Mrs Henderson, so it was only on closer inspection that they realised what had happened.

Mr Mole said: "The envelope and card still look in good condition, so I wonder if it has been laying at the bottom of a mail sack or something."

Mrs Mole added: "We were amazed when we realised it was from Geordie and Anne because Geordie died a couple of years ago.

"We've not been able to find out why it took so long to get here."

Royal Mail spokesman said: "It is difficult to speculate on what might have happened, but there doesn't seem to be any particular reason why it should have been delayed so long."