YOUNG Saints fan Alex Wood was jumping for joy when he opened a letter telling him he had won a tour of St Mary's Stadium.

The nine-year-old's excitement was quickly kicked into touch when he looked at the date the prize was supposed to be taken on - April 5. The letter had not arrived at his Southampton home until Friday - nearly three weeks after what should have been his big day.

Now his family are trying to find out why the letter, which had been posted first class in Southampton on March 31, took so long to arrive.

Mum Kate Wood, 36, of Curlew Close, Lordswood, said: "Alex is a huge Saints fan and was devastated.

"I have been reading stories in the Daily Echo regarding problems with the mail. I know it wasn't a letter about a matter of life and death, but it was still something very important to a nine-year-old boy."

The letter had been from McDonald's restaurant in Above Bar, which had organised the competition through the Team Saints junior supporters' newsletter.

Kate said Alex, who will play in goal for Oakwood Blue under-tens next season, is a huge fan of Saints goalie Antti Niemi and had been looking forward to seeing the trophy cabinet, police cells and other areas at St Mary's.

Today Southampton Football Club's community department stepped in to save the day, offering two free places on a forthcoming tour for Alex and Kate.

Royal Mail spokesman Dan Panes said: "We apologise for the delay, but thankfully this is not something which happens on a regular basis.".