Ref. 75996-113-A mum whose son discovered a postbag containing letters and parcels left on the street claims she called a Royal Mail helpline and was told to deliver them herself.

Jackie Roberts, 37, a childminder who is five months pregnant was walking her son Jack Roberts, six, and Ayala Trinder, five, home from Abbey Meads Community Primary School when the children found the bag close to Jackie's house in Falconer Mews yesterday.

She said: "It was just lying by the side of the road when the children found it.

"I looked up and down to see if there was a postman about but there was nobody around at all.

"I picked it up and took it home and then looked through it.

"There is a parcel that looks as though it is a gift from someone, a letter that looks like a bank statement, something that has been sent on recorded delivery from the TV licensing people and a few other letters.

"Whether the postman lost it or just dumped it there, I don't know.

"It's pretty bad though if people don't get their post.

"Especially with things like letters about TV licences you could get into a lot of trouble if you don't get that on time."

Jackie rang up a telephone number on the bag, which was the number of the bag manufacturers.

They gave her the Royal Mail customer service helpline.

But she says when she rang it to ask what she should do with the bag of post she was asked if she could deliver the letters herself then return the bag.

"I was very surprised I thought someone would at least come out and pick it up.

"I'm a childminder not a postwoman.

"And there's no way I'm doing that when I'm five months pregnant."

She called the Royal Mail help line again and was told someone would be coming to collect the bag.

A Royal Mail spokesman said Jackie had initially been given the wrong advice.

He said: "The wrong advice was given, we would normally come and collect the mail if an address is given.

"Customers being told to deliver mail they find is certainly not Royal Mail policy.

"If anyone does find something of that nature they should give our customer helpline a call.

"The number is 08457 740740."

Mail facts

Of the 82 million items of post delivered by Royal Mail every day, only 0.0005 per cent goes missing

Lost mail that is recovered is treated as first class mail so should be delivered the next day

There is a compensation system for late or lost mail.

Diana Milne