THE OLD saying "The cheque's in the post" has taken on a whole new meaning for a Hampshire man.

Simon Burrell from Southampton keeps getting paid by bungling Royal Mail chiefs - even though he has never done a day's work for them in his life.

Post Office bosses have so far sent Simon, 28, of Millbrook Road East, £1,530.56 as payment for his work as a postman.

He has even tried to tell them about their mistake but the cheques just keep on coming.

Simon went for an interview with the Post Office in August but decided he did not want the job.

But Royal Mail bosses were so desperate to hire him that they sent him a letter welcoming him to the firm.

Simon thought no more about it until the first cheque arrived in the post.

He has tried several times to tell bosses about their mistake but he says the Royal Mail never answers the phone number given at the bottom of the cheques.

Last week, he even received a Christmas card from Royal Mail boss Allan Leighton thanking him for his hard work.

Enclosed were holiday vouchers and 50 first class stamps.

Former tree surgeon Simon is starting work as an administrative assistant at Southampton Institute on November 29.

He told the Daily Echo he has not banked any of the money the Post Office has sent him.

He said: "I tried phoning them a couple of times to sort the situation out but I just gave up. I have found it all quite laughable."

The Royal Mail has launched an investigation to find out why the cheques continue to be sent out.

A spokesman said: "It was an administrative error and we would like to apologise."