Shirt delivery cost Anne Kelly �4.50 postage and �1.25 insurance

Anne Kelly, of Swansea, sold the Manchester United shirt by internet auction for �250 to a woman from Plymouth.

She sent it special delivery and took out extra insurance, but when it failed to arrive was offered just �40 compensation - the cost of the shirt.

The consumer watchdog Postwatch Wales took up her case and now she has received an apology and the auction price.

David Beckham is the most famous footballer in the world and he very rarely signs autographs Anne Kelly

The England captain, now with Real Madrid, signed the shirt for her husband when he was the midfielder's bodyguard on tour in Asia two years ago.

Mrs Kelly, of Duvant, said: " "I couldn't believe it when Royal Mail told me that they would only give me �40 for what is a very valuable autograph.

"David Beckham is the most famous footballer in the world and the autograph was unique because he very rarely signs autographs."

'Absurd'

She had taken the shirt to a post office in Swansea and sent it by special delivery, a next day signed for service which cost her �4.50.

The upgraded insurance costs an extra �1.25 to cover items worth up to �1,000 if they go astray.

Mrs Kelly later found it had gone missing from a mail train.

"I was particularly upset because I had paid to take out the extra insurance on it and I really felt I had let down this lady who wanted it for her son."

Eifion Pritchard, chairman of Postwatch Wales, said: "Mrs Kelly was told that she would only get �40 for her lost autographed shirt, even though it was worth substantially more, because she did not take out Royal Mail's consequential loss cover.