A MAN who works in IT security was stunned to return home to find a "Sorry you were out" note from the postman, saying a parcel had been left in his bin.

Mark Goddard opened the bin, used for his garden waste and discovered the package lay beneath a mountain of wet and smelly garden rubbish deposited by the gardener the same day.

Mr Goddard, 41, said the package contained two soggy batteries and a charger for his digital camera, ordered the week before.

"I read the message and laughed out loud in disbelief," he said.

Mr Goddard of Sylvan Close, St Leonards, said he had phoned Royal Mail to complain and a representative had apologised.

The items, worth £41.92, have dried out.

"It could have been anything, someone's photos or anything at all," he added. "You never know what's in the parcels. It could be credit card details or anything like that."

He said he was concerned that items which could help a thief commit identity fraud could be left outside a person's home.

A Royal Mail spokesman said it was normal policy to leave a parcel slip but not the parcel.

"A card should have been left confirming that we had attempted to deliver the item and offering a number of options including redelivery."

"The postmen and women at Ringwood delivery office will be reminded of the correct procedures to follow when delivering items of this nature.

"I would like to apologise to Mr Goddard for the problem he suffered with the delivery," she added.