MAY I try to add a note of humour to what I sometimes think are very deep and depressing comments that appear now and again.

And this is an absolutely true story.

While walking through Farnworth about two weeks ago, I bumped into a lovely Irish chap who I had worked with for more than 20 years, but who I hadn't seen for quite some time.

Upon seeing me, he grabbed my hand and said: "Bejaz, Alan, you look five years younger now than you did 10 years ago." I am still trying to puzzle our what he meant.

A Bray

Arthur Street

Little Lever, Bolton