Card arrives almost 27 years after it was posted

Alphie Meleyal, 60, had no idea the card had been sent but said it was "amazing" it was finally delivered

A card has been delivered to its owner in Hull almost 27 years after it was posted.

Alphie Meleyal was sent the card from her former partner's mother in 1997.

The now 60-year-old was finally given the card after the story featured on BBC Look North.

Despite the delay, Royal Mail said it "does its utmost" to deliver all post.

The card was posted in Wolverhampton in 1997

It is unclear where the card has been since it was posted in Wolverhampton. It was delivered to Ms Meleyal's previous address in March.

The card was sent after Ms Meleyal split up with her then partner Mandy.

Mandy's mother, Eileen, had sent the card to express her sadness at the break up, hoping the two young women would remain friends.

Ms Meleyal said it was "amazing" the card had survived for so long and had no idea it even existed.

She said: "I was shocked but pleased as punch that someone was thinking of me all that time ago.

"At first I thought it was a joke but when I got the letter I was excited and when I found out who it was from I was really touched. I am so happy I got it."

Jackie Hill said she is pleased to have helped reunite the card with its owner

Jackie Hill, the current resident of the property where the card ended up, said she was "shocked" when an envelope with a stamp costing 26p was pushed through her door.

"I didn't realise it had a 1997 postmark until someone pointed it out so I was shocked," she said.

"I thought it might have been important to her (Alphie) and I'm just so pleased it managed to get to her."

A Royal Mail spokesperson said it was likely someone had put it back into the postal system rather than it having been lost.

"Once an item is in the postal system then it will be delivered to the address on the letter."

Nearly three decades on, Ms Meleyal revealed she is still in contact with Mandy and meets up with her at least once a year so "everything in the card had come true".

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