THE Royal Mail has apologised to customers affected by the theft of a mail bag in the Stretford Road area of Urmston.

The apology came after a Messenger reader complained that residents had been kept in the dark about the incident.

The reader said: "I think we have a right to know what has happened to our post. There will be all sorts of personal details in that bag."

A Royal Mail spokesman said: "A quantity of mail was stolen from a drop point in Urmston on November 3. The police have been informed and investigations are continuing into the incident.

"Royal Mail doesn't routinely write to customers in an area affected by a mail theft, as we have no way of knowing which addresses did or didn't have mail for delivery that particular day, and we wouldn't want to raise unnecessary concern. We apologise to any customer who may have been affected, and anyone who believes that their mail from that day has not been delivered should contact Royal Mail Customer Services on 08457 740 740."