STAFF at a Paisley library were stunned this week when the postman delivered a book that is thought to be more than fifty years overdue.

Mrs Balbir Singh's Indian Cookery arrived at Paisley's Central Library along with a £20 note and a letter apologising for the late return of the book.

It said: “Please accept my apologies for the late return of this book.

Glasgow Times:

“Enclosed is a token payment in recognition of this oversight. Thank you.”

Librarians estimate the book was borrowed in 1968 but now records are digitised, it's impossible to tell who had taken it out.

The £20 will now be donated to a charity as Renfrewshire Libraries are not charging overdue fines at the moment.

Glasgow Times:

The book will not be available to borrow due to its age and condition, but workers have assured members of the public that it will be put in a safe place. 

Linda Flynn, Paisley Central Library Team Supervisor said: “I was more than a little surprised when I opened the padded envelope and saw what was inside.

“It’s rare to have a book returned after being overdue for so many years. I suspect the book had been lying in a cupboard or a drawer for some time and was only recently discovered.

Glasgow Times:

“It was a lovely gesture from whoever found the book to take the time to send it back with a £20 note as a token gesture for it being so long overdue. We’ll make sure the money goes to a good cause.”

"You could see that the book had been well used and some of the marks on the pages suggested that someone had followed the recipes to make a good few dinners.