HATS OFF... TO THE WRONG CONTINENT

When Helena Edwards-Bishop was asked to supply hats for her sister's wedding in Guyana she didn't take any chances.

She sent three hats - valued at more than ?350 - by recorded delivery with Datapost five weeks before the happy day.

Staff promised her they would be delivered to mother Norma within seven days, in plenty of time for yesterday's wedding of younger sister Beverley.

But when they had not arrived after ten days she contacted the Post Office.

And, eventually, red-faced staff admitted that, rather than going the 4,500 miles to Guyana, in South America, the parcel had gone to Ghana, West Africa.

"I wrote the address in bold, large letters so I can't understand how this could have happened," she said.

"I don't see why they can't carry pocket maps or something so if there's any confusion they can check."

Helena, of Ebenezer Street in Langley Mill, said she also spent around ?60 in phone calls chasing the hats' whereabouts.

"We're really upset about all this," she added.

Nurse Helena, who works at Nottingham City Hospital, moved to Nottingham from Guyana in 1991.

And this is not the first time she has complained about things going missing in the post on the way to her former home.

Earlier this year she was compensated by Datapost after a parcel containing Christmas presents also vanished.

Now the Royal Mail - which owns Datapost - has apologised for the latest mix-up.

It confirmed the parcel finally turned up in Georgetown, Guyana, late on Monday, after making an epic 8,500-mile journey from Nottingham, to Ghana, and finally to Guyana.

Spokesman Floyd Jebson said: "This was down to human error at one of our sorting offices, which is not acceptable.

"Our international parcels section has been fully aware of the situation throughout, but we are relieved they have arrived in time for the wedding.

"We really are very sorry about this mix-up."

The company said it would be willing to reimburse the postage costs, but would not offer any compensation because of the level of service Helena chose.

But Helena has now been left with three hats too many after going out to buy replacements for the missing ones.

"They weren't as nice or expensive as the others, but I couldn't turn up empty-handed in case they didn't show up in time," she said.

"Now it's cost me even more money because I've lost faith in the system."