A MOTHER was devastated when she received a birthday card for her son - only to find it had been opened and the money inside had been taken.

Ammie Brown, who lives on Manchester Street in Barrow, was ‘disgusted’ to find somebody had taken £20 from a letter sent to her five-year-old son Hunter.

A Royal Mail spokeswoman said it was 'concerned' and pledged to investigate.

The letter was a birthday present sent from his grandmother who lives in Lincolnshire.

'We want the area to feel like a community again' - plea from Ormsgill residents

When the letter arrived in the post, Ms Brown said it had already been opened and the money had been taken.

“My son was waiting for a birthday card from his grandmother," she said. “When it arrived I saw the side of the envelope had been ripped open and the money she sent him for his birthday had been taken. I think what has happened is disgusting.

“Hunter was absolutely gutted when he found out.

“£20 might not sound like a lot to some people, but when your five-years-old it means a lot.

“He doesn’t get to see his grandmother very often because she lives quite far away, so it is always nice for him to get a letter from her with a little bit of money inside.

"Once I noticed what had happened, I went straight to the post office to report it.”

She added: “I get on with my neighbours and I don’t think any of them would do that.

“Even if they did, why would they leave the letter behind.

“This isn’t the first time I’ve heard about this kind of thing happening. I know other people who have gone through a similar thing.

Warning to takeaway and pub bosses after allergens found in products

“If the letter was for me I wouldn’t be so upset, but because it was for my son, who’s only five. and it was a birthday present from his grandma, I want to know what has happened.

“The letter was obviously for a child which makes it even worse to think someone would do this.”

Ms Brown said she had reported the incident to the post office.

A Royal Mail spokeswoman said: “Royal Mail is concerned and disappointed to hear of the customer's experience and we would advise her to contact our Customer Services team so we can investigate fully.

Wanted woman from Barrow found by police in Manchester

“We are very sorry if our service has not been of the usual high standard.

“We deliver millions of items of mail every day and the vast majority arrive at the correct destination quickly and efficiently and intact.

“If anyone has any queries about their post, they should contact Royal Mail Customer Services on 03457 740740 in the first instance so the enquiry can be properly logged and investigated.

“We would also remind anyone who is sending money in the post to use our special delivery service, which is for valuables including cash, and is fully traceable through our network.”

Royal Mail policy regarding lost items states if a parcel with intrinsic value is lost and this can be proven, then it may be possible to claim for compensation depending on the evidence.