A 70-year-old woman got more than she bargained for when she opened a misplaced parcel and found a first-class quantity of cannabis.

The pot-filled package was delivered to the woman’s home in Royal Wootton Bassett, addressed only to ‘Stan’ on Wednesday last week.

Police were alerted and seized more than seven grams of cannabis from the package, which had been stamped first-class.

Officers are appealing for ‘Stan’ to come forward and identify himself. The origin of the package cannot be immediately traced as there was no return address on the envelope, but officers will be conducting enquiries with the post office to find out how the delivery landed on the doormat of the woman.

The team treated the find with tongue-in-cheek humour, inviting Stan to come to the station to collect his property.

A post on their social media pages read: “This cannabis was mistakenly delivered to a 70-year-old lady in Royal Wootton Bassett. The envelope was addressed to Stan and unfortunately there was no return address on the package either!

“If Stan would like to claim his illegal substance, please contact Wiltshire Police on 101 or pop down to Royal Wootton Bassett police station!”

But despite the unusual nature of the offence, the crime is being taken seriously.

Sgt Martin Alvis said: “Posting controlled substances is no different than to handing it to someone in the street. It is a serious offence to supply any controlled substance.

“Not only was this illegal but also irresponsible had the drugs fallen into the wrong hands.

“We will be carrying out further enquiries.”

While the package was stamped, it carried no validation mark, so could have been delivered by hand.

Royal Mail says it conducts thorough checks of all parcels passing through its system.

A spokesman said: “Royal Mail does not knowingly carry any illegal items in its network.

“Where Royal Mail has any suspicion that illegal items are being sent through our system, we work closely with the police and other authorities to assist their investigations and to prevent such activities.”

Anyone with any information should call 101 and ask for PSCO Andy Singfield.