POST bosses charged a youngster £1 to receive his birthday card - because his grandfather had underpaid by just 5p.

The Royal Mail refused to deliver the card, which had a first class, 32p stamp placed on it.

Instead, it insisted five-year-old Alex Higson pay the shortfall and a £1 "administration charge."

And to make matters worse, the card informing Alex that his birthday card could not be delivered arrived two weeks after it had been sent - too late for Alex's birthday.

His furious mum, Jackie, said: "Alex was so upset. He thought his granddad had forgotten his birthday.

"I can't believe the Royal Mail has been this petty."

Alex's grandfather, Alan Howard, who lives in Buxton, posted the card, first class, to arrive at his grandson's Farnworth home for his birthday on March 30.

But because the first class stamp was five pence short of the postage, the card was returned to the sorting office and the family were informed by card almost a week later.

Alex's family believe the envelope was not the right size for the 32p stamp.

His father, Donald Higson, was stunned when he took Alex to collect the card, and was forced to pay the administration charge.

Mr Higson, aged 53, of Harrowby Lane, said: "I can't believe the postman couldn't just knock on the door and ask for the five pence, it would have saved a lot of heartache to a little boy."

Royal Mail have defended the charge, claiming underpaid postage amounts to millions of pounds in lost revenue every year and that people have the right to not pick up their underpaid post.

A spokesman said; "The £1 fee is charged to cover our additional handling costs, including returning the item to the delivery office, storage and administration."