A five-year-old English boy has received a £15.95 (€20) invoice for his non-attendance a school friend's birthday party.

Alex Nash, from Torpoint in Cornwall, was invited to the birthday party before Christmas, but was unable to attend as he had been due to spend time with his grandparents.

Julie Lawrence, who organised the party, which was held at a dry ski slope, claims she was left out-of-pocket and had not been given notice that Alex would not attend.

Alex's parents say that they had no contact information for Lawrence, and they only realised there was a problem when a printed invoice was found in a brown envelope in Alex's school bag. 

His father Derek Nash spoke to the BBC about the bill:

"It was a proper invoice with full official details and even her bank details on it.

"I can understand that she's upset about losing money. The money isn't the issue, it's the way she went about trying to get the money from me.

"She didn't treat me like a human being, she treated me like a child and that I should do what she says."

Nash has been told he will be taken to the small claims court if the money is not paid.