The Royal Mail’s ‘signed for’ service is not fit for purpose, according to a disgruntled grandfather, whose grandchildren never received a Christmas card sent 10 months ago.

Charlie Wray, of Churchill Avenue, Walmer, sent a signed-for card containing £105 cash to his three grandchildren in London in December 2014.

The card was never delivered and 10 months later, he feels that he still has not received a sufficient explanation about where the letter has gone.

The tracking service says it is still at Deal Post Office but, when he inquired there, he was told it was not.

Neither is it at the Royal Mail national returns centre.

He has been given six first class stamps as refund of the postage and been told the decision is final and that he has no right to appeal.

He also has it in writing that “the company does not have to provide a product or service” or provide an explanation, which he feels is “totally arrogant”.

Mr Wray said: “What is the point of signed-for delivery? It’s a service that’s not fit for purpose.

“You go into the post office and pay the extra money, all for nothing. It’s a farce.”

He added: “The contents is irrelevant, it’s the principle of paying for a service that is not fit for purpose. I’ve done everything in good faith.

“They gave me six first class stamps which I’ve used to send letters to them.

“I’d would like some sort of compensation and for them to accept responsibility.”

Mr Wray has reported the matter to the police.

Royal Mail spokeswoman Sally Hopkins said: “We have apologised to Mr Wray that he did not receive the service he expected and deserved from Royal Mail on this occasion. We have investigated his complaint, and compensated him accordingly.

“We always advise customers not to send cash through the post. If customers wish to send valuable items, they should use Royal Mail’s Special Delivery Service.

“These items are tracked through every stage of our network and there is further compensation available in the rare event that there is an issue with this service.”