A FORMER Royal Mail worker has been questioned by police after 1,000 letters were recovered from his home.

Police attended the postman's home in Darlington last week and found the letters, some opened, packed in bags.

The 23-year-old, who has not been named by the police or Royal Mail, was arrested on suspicion of theft last Friday and was questioned before being released while investigations continue.

The former employee of Royal Mail had worked at the company's sorting office, in St Cuthberts Way, until October last year.

Letters recovered from his home had dates on them spanning from January until October.

Detective constables Jim Honeyman and Graham Chapman, of Darlington CID, are handling the case along with Royal Mail's investigating team.

Det Con Honeyman said: "The man has been interviewed at Darlington police station and released. Inquiries are continuing and he is due back at the police station on January 21."

A spokesman for Royal Mail said: "In a case like this we will look to take the appropriate action, which may include prosecution."

Det Con Honeyman had to sort through and count the post, which he said consisted mainly of letters and the majority were unopened.

All the items recovered have been returned to the Royal Mail. They will be sent on to the relevant addresses, with a letter explaining the delay in the process.