A PLUMSTEAD bookworm received a letter threatening to send in debt collectors if he did not pay his £3.20 library fine despite being nine-years-old.

The mother of Christopher King, of Lanstead Road, Plumstead, said she was enraged to read the debt collection letter addressed to her son.

Wendy King, 36, said: “I cannot believe they would threaten a small child with debt collectors. Even though the letter was sent care of his grandparents, who signed for his library cards, it was clearly addressed to Mr Christopher King.

“It was one those envelopes with the perforated sides, the sort one would get a wage slip in.

“My son came to me and asked, 'Mummy, what is a debt collector?' I couldn't believe it. They had sent him this threatening letter for an amount of £3.20.

“It said unless the fine was paid immediately the matter may be referred to debt collectors. I think it is outrageous, they should have known he was only a child because they sent the letter care of his grandparents.”

To add insult to injury, the children's history book in question had already been returned 10 days earlier.

Mrs King is now demanding an official apology from Greenwich Council for the upset caused to her family.

A council spokesman said: “We can only apologise for the distress and inconvenience the letter has caused Mrs King and her son. It was a standardised letter which is issued as a second reminder.

“In the case of children, the letter should go to the legal guardian or the adult who had signed for the library cards, but this time it was clearly a mistake.

“We believe the letter was delayed due to the postal strike and therefore it only arrived after the book had been returned.”