Artist happily reunited with lost tea towel art

A textile artist from north-west London says she is "so so so happy" after a box containing 206 pieces of her tea towel art display was returned, after she thought it had been lost.

Holly Searle, from Ruislip, posted a large box via a 48-hour Parcelforce delivery on 22 June for her show at Alton Arts Festival in Hampshire this weekend.

However, the box did not arrive, and then could not be found. It sparked a search by Royal Mail across depots and, once mentioned on the BBC, prompted offers of help by the public.

The box has now unexpectedly been returned back to Searle's home address, containing the seven years' worth of work thought lost, much to the artist's relief and delight.

Searle, who originally contacted the BBC via BBC Your Voice, said she had not been able to sleep this week knowing the work might be lost.

But after her artwork was returned to her, she said she was "over the moon and absolutely delighted".

"It seems as though they went out of London and went to Coventry because there was water damage to the label."

The artist said the box was just sitting on her doorstep when she opened the door at lunchtime, and the postman was already walking away, seemingly unaware of the drama surrounding the parcel he had just delivered.

"I've looked in the box and they're all fine," she said. "I think I might have a little cry later," she added.

Searle thanked the public for all the help she was offered, including the man who donated 80 vintage tea towels to help replace those lost.

Royal Mail had apologised to Searle for the box going missing,and said they were pleased that the item had been safely returned.

They added that they would arrange a refund for Searle.

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