The Royal Mail has apologised for the delay

The mail, which was dated September 2001, was found dumped in bin bags by an off-duty postman as he retrieved a football.

The post - which included a rejection letter for a job application - has finally been delivered to homes in the Cardiff suburb of Radyr.

Managers and postal workers have been knocking on doors to explain to residents why the letters were so late.

The Royal Mail has apologised for the delay and is now investigating the incident.

The mail was found dumped in bin bags down an embankment at Radyr Cricket Club.

Paul Kelly, the area general manager for the Royal Mail, explained how it had been recovered.

The postman's prompt action resulted in the subsequent speedy delivery of the mail to all our customers Paul Kelly, Royal Mail

"A postman from Port Talbot, who was playing football, discovered mail hidden in black bin bags down an embankment as he went to retrieve the ball during a recent match.

"After reporting his find to the local delivery office, the mail was quickly sorted and delivered to the affected customers.

"An internal investigation is now being carried out into how this mail got there in the first place," he added.

Mr Kelly added that such incidents were rare and that the security of mail was "always of paramount importance".

He also thanked the postman who found the items.

"His prompt action resulted in the subsequent speedy delivery of the mail to all our customers," he said.