Christmas cards and letters have been found strewn and soaking on the ground - sparking fears a postbox was raided.

The mail - addressed to locations including Faversham, Whitstable and Bury St Edmunds - was found littering streets through Faversham town centre by shocked passers-by.

Some were found by William Dean, who said they were dotted along a "pathway through town".

Taking to Facebook to share news of what happened, he wrote: "Some lovely person has raided a post box.

"There are letters to multiple different addresses throughout Faversham from the Brents through to town.

"I have contacted one of the recipients in hope that they can let the sender know that their cards won't be making it."

Mr Dean told KentOnline: "One had a two-page hand-written letter, telling the person that they missed them and was sorry for not contacting during Covid.

"They themselves went into details of what medical issues they were having and looked forward to seeing them in the new year.

"I contacted the recipient and read the letter to them over the phone as it was too wet to pick up."

Mr Dean reported the incident last Sunday to the police.

Another Good Samaritan found a pile of soaking wet mail "including some Christmas cards that had been torn in half and carefully placed on a wall".

He took the time to write to one of the addressees, to let them know what had happened.

He added: "I think the 'stolen from overflowing post box' seems the most probable explanation."

The Royal Mail declined to comment when approached by KentOnline.

The police were approached for more information.