This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/devon/8401870.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
'Secret' debt paid after 38 years 'Secret' debt paid after 38 years
(about 1 hour later)
A shop that mistakenly undercharged a woman for blankets on "Decimal Day" has been reimbursed - 38 years later.A shop that mistakenly undercharged a woman for blankets on "Decimal Day" has been reimbursed - 38 years later.
Sylvia Blampey, 77, from Paignton, Devon moved to Berkshire in 1971 to take up a new job and bought the blankets for her unfurnished house.Sylvia Blampey, 77, from Paignton, Devon moved to Berkshire in 1971 to take up a new job and bought the blankets for her unfurnished house.
The assistant wrongly calculated the conversion from pounds, shillings and pence to decimal, but Mrs Blampey stayed quiet "because I was poor".The assistant wrongly calculated the conversion from pounds, shillings and pence to decimal, but Mrs Blampey stayed quiet "because I was poor".
E Jackson and Sons in Reading has donated the £20 to charity.E Jackson and Sons in Reading has donated the £20 to charity.
I should have put it right a long time ago Sylvia BlampeyI should have put it right a long time ago Sylvia Blampey
"The girl did not have a clue how to work out my bill and I realised it was grossly in my favour," Mrs Blampey told BBC News."The girl did not have a clue how to work out my bill and I realised it was grossly in my favour," Mrs Blampey told BBC News.
"I felt guilty at the time, but I never said anything and kept it a secret because I was quite short of money and needed the blankets. It was an evil thing to do.""I felt guilty at the time, but I never said anything and kept it a secret because I was quite short of money and needed the blankets. It was an evil thing to do."
Mrs Blampey decided a few weeks ago to finally "make amends" and asked a friend who lived in Berkshire to find out if the store was still in business, even though she could not remember its name.Mrs Blampey decided a few weeks ago to finally "make amends" and asked a friend who lived in Berkshire to find out if the store was still in business, even though she could not remember its name.
"But I knew exactly where it was and my friend found out it was a family store which had been in business for more than 100 years," she said."But I knew exactly where it was and my friend found out it was a family store which had been in business for more than 100 years," she said.
Mrs Blampey could not recall exactly how much the woollen blankets cost in 1971, but thought it was between £3 to £4.Mrs Blampey could not recall exactly how much the woollen blankets cost in 1971, but thought it was between £3 to £4.
COST COMPARISONS 1971 AND 2009 Average UK house: £5,632 (£224,064)Gallon of petrol: 6s 7d (£4.95Sliced loaf: 1s 11d (72p)Woollen blanket: £4 (£44)COST COMPARISONS 1971 AND 2009 Average UK house: £5,632 (£224,064)Gallon of petrol: 6s 7d (£4.95Sliced loaf: 1s 11d (72p)Woollen blanket: £4 (£44)
Brian Carter, the department store's managing director, said he was "astounded" at Mrs Blampey's actions.Brian Carter, the department store's managing director, said he was "astounded" at Mrs Blampey's actions.
"I was the buyer in the actual department at the time, but I've absolutely no recollection of it," he said."I was the buyer in the actual department at the time, but I've absolutely no recollection of it," he said.
"Things were a bit chaotic that day, because all the goods had been re-marked in decimal and a lot of customers were asking what their goods cost 'in old money', so to speak."Things were a bit chaotic that day, because all the goods had been re-marked in decimal and a lot of customers were asking what their goods cost 'in old money', so to speak.
"I think the only person who was aware of what had happened was Mrs Blampey herself.""I think the only person who was aware of what had happened was Mrs Blampey herself."
Recession 'struggle'Recession 'struggle'
Mr Carter said the £20 has been donated to Sense, a charity for deaf and blind people, as chosen by Mrs Blampey.Mr Carter said the £20 has been donated to Sense, a charity for deaf and blind people, as chosen by Mrs Blampey.
"It's obviously prayed on her mind, but not many people would do what Mrs Blampey did, so her attitude is to be applauded," Mr Carter said. "It's obviously preyed on her mind, but not many people would do what Mrs Blampey did, so her attitude is to be applauded," Mr Carter said.
Mrs Blampey, who still has one of the royal blue blankets, said she was very relieved the matter was finally sorted.Mrs Blampey, who still has one of the royal blue blankets, said she was very relieved the matter was finally sorted.
"I'm just sorry it's taken so long, because the girl on the phone told me the store was having a struggle to keep going with the recession," she added."I'm just sorry it's taken so long, because the girl on the phone told me the store was having a struggle to keep going with the recession," she added.