A LETTER posted 45 years ago has finally left Haslingden Post Office.

The envelope was handed in by a Mr N Knowles of Eliza Street, Burnley in 1956 and should have been delivered to Mr R Barton at a Southampton Caravan site. Instead it fell behind a layer of wood panelling on the wall and lay there until it was found during renovations.

Haslingden postmaster Mike Ainscough said: ''The sender paid for the letter to go registered to make sure that it arrived swiftly and safely. For that reason it would have been put in a special 'secure' box on the wall.

''Somehow, it must have fallen unnoticed through a gap in the bottom of the box and behind the panelling itself.

''I was taking the panelling down last weekend when I found it. I realised straight away that it probably wouldn't get to its destination if I just posted it - the stamp on it is only for 6d - or two and a half pence.''

Mr Ainscough, postmaster for three years, handed the letter to the Royal Mail at Preston. Staff there will now try to trace Mr Barton or return the letter to its sender.

A spokesperson for Royal Mail said: ''Better late than never I suppose. We will do our best to get this letter to its rightful owner. We are checking with the electoral registrar custodians in Southampton to see if they can help us.''

The campsite in Hedge End, Southampton is still there but Mr Barton is no longer a resident. The local authority said: ''We will be pleased to help in any way we can in tracing Mr Barton or his relatives.''

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