CURIOUS Jamie Maxwell thought he was playing on an arcade machine in a card shop - but he ended up costing his mum £2.50 when he mistakenly printed out a greeting.

Jamie, 11, was meddling with the Create-a-Card machine when it started to print his handiwork.

Mum Michelle, of Granville Road, Blackburn, said: "I was looking for a card for my mother's birthday and had left Jamie alone.

"The machine has loads of flashing lights and buttons and cartoon characters like Bart Simpson all over it.

"Jamie thought it was a game machine because it even talks.

"So he just followed what it said and typed in his name.

"I'd just like to warn other parents that their children could quite easily do the same thing and they'll end up paying £2.50 for something they don't want.

"I think the machine should be supervised or at least made so it couldn't print until the money is put in.

"Jamie was very upset after the incident. I'm just glad my other two kids didn't do the same thing or it would have cost me a fortune."

The manageress at Clinton Cards in Blackburn said: "It does clearly state on a sign that it is not a toy and it costs £2.50.

"The whole process takes about 10 minutes and you have to enter names and messages, so I don't know how the boy could have thought it was a game.

"We don't have problems with this machine because most children know it's not there to be played with."

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