An investigation into Royal Mail service by the Times has found what it calls "appalling" service from the company.

The newspaper sent 100 letters - each containing a £1 scratchcard - to destinations across the UK via the firm.

Half were sent first class, and the rest second – the same amount were sealed, while half remained unsealed but with the sleeve firmly tucked in.

Shockingly, only 93 per cent of the letters arrived with their scratchcards – while three did not arrive at all.

The shocking finding led to the paper's personal finance editor, Andrew Ellson, claiming that Royal Mail "can no longer be trusted".