AN ANONYMOUS letter writer has sent out a mass apology to pubs, businesses and households across Whitstable.

Dozens of handwritten notes have been delivered to addresses around the town, leaving landlords, shopkeepers and residents mystified.

The four-line letters, on scraps of lined paper, simply read: "I take back any false or bad remarks, any rudeness or negative actions."

But recipients told the Times they could not think of anyone who owed them an apology.

Darren Wilton, landlord of The Old Neptune in Marine Terrace, at first assumed it was from a barred customer.

He said: "It's a funny thing. I had someone in mind who I thought it might be, a chap we'd barred, but the handwriting isn't that good and I think he would have better writing because he's an academic."

Mr Wilton said pub customers had received an identical note.

He added: "I just hope it's not some sort of suicide note, someone who's gone into deep depression and is wracking their brains to think of everyone they need to apologise to.

"It's a bit weird the customers have got them as well."

Staff at The Duke of Cumberland in the High Street initially suspected that someone was playing a prank.

Landlady Sarah Smith said: "We just thought it was quite funny. People have a few suspicions as to who it could be but we don't want to mention any names."

Another letter was sent to Granny Smiths greengrocers in the High Street, where staff displayed it by the till.

Supervisor Clair Bryant said: "Quite a few people have been reading it. A lot of people think how strange it is and can't understand why someone would write something like that. At least five people who've come in have said they've got one as well."

Tracey Marsh, who owns DIY store Stocks of Whitstable, received an identical letter in February last year, which was also addressed to her dogs. Another one arrived last week.

She said: "It did frighten us a bit last year because we thought we were the only ones who got it. We worried they might be apologising for something that was going to happen to our shop.

"I'm glad it's coming to light this year. I have no idea who it could be from – we don't really have rude customers. You've got to go some way to upset that many people though."

Tracey said last year's letter was posted in Canterbury and this one in Gatwick.

Other businesses believed to have received letters include two hairdressers, a butcher, a wholefoods shop, another pub and a primary school.

One theory is that the letters could be linked to an Alcoholics Anonymous programme called The Twelve Steps, which involves recovering alcoholics making a list of everyone they have harmed as a result of their drinking, and making amends where possible.

AA declined to respond to the Times' request for a comment but a spokesman for alternative alcohol support group Al-Anon, which meets at St John's Methodist Church in Argyle Road, said: "It may well be from an AA member but there is no way of finding this out."

Police inspector Terry Chuter said no one had reported the letters to police.

He added: "We understand the content is not malicious, therefore no offences have been committed and no police action is required. If people do receive further letters and have any concerns about the content, they can report it to their nearest police station or call the police non-emergency number on 101."

Do you know who is sending the mystery letters? Call us on 01843 578161 or e-mail newsdesk.times@KRNmedia.co.uk