A LETTER addressed to Hollywood actor Paul Newman in Fifth Avenue, New York, was delivered by the Royal Mail to Irene Stoner in Fifth Avenue, York, it emerged yesterday.

Irene Stoner has lived at her address for 15 years and receives letters intended for New York three or four times a year on average. But the latest letter has left her bemused.

"I wondered if it was the Paul Newman, the famous actor. I thought it was rather funny and I posted it back the next morning," she said. "I would never read anyone else's post, not even my family's, and so I returned it immediately."

"It was definitely a novelty. I like his films and it's funny to think I could be getting his mail. I've definitely had a laugh over it."

Although Mrs Stoner describes her house in York as a nice avenue with lots of trees, she believes that it is probably a far cry from the luxury apartments owned by the rich and famous of New York and wonders how the post could make such a huge mistake.

"It is so silly. It was clearly marked to America and it seems so ridiculous that it could have got sent to us."

Mrs Stoner added: "I wonder if he is getting my mail - because he is welcome to it. All I get through my door is junk mail and bills."

A spokesman for Royal Mail said he did not know how the mix-up had occurred.