But recent experiences with Sheffield white van men tell a completely different story.

We drove to Sheffield to see Viva la Diva at the Arena (a wonderful show and a marvellous performance by two very talented entertainers) and inevitably got lost having left the M1 at the wrong roundabout.

We got even more lost in a maze of industrial buildings. Then we spotted a white van man and asked if he knew the hotel we sought - very close to the Arena.

He produced his Sheffield A to Z. As I reached for my glasses, he gave a broad grin and said: "Not to worry, better still, I know where it is - not far from my next call. Follow me there."

And he took us right to the hotel car park before driving off with another cheery grin.

The next morning looking for the road back to the M1 I saw another white van man in his van, checking his papers, about to drive off. I asked if he could point out the route: "Turn left and keep straight on - stay in the inside lane to avoid going into the Meadowhall car-park." And with a cheery smile, added: "If you can wait until I make my first drop I will show you!"

Not necessary as the direction was very clear, although my wife was disappointed at the advice to avoid the Meadowhall shopping experience (we have been married for 52 years - she has never visited Meadowhall and I see no point in changing that after all these years!).

Thanks to two Sheffield white van men for their cheerful manner and courteously offered assistance!
W Raine, Pennine View, Northallerton

ME questionnaire
ME (myalgic encephalomyelitis) is an illness that affects around 250,00 people in the UK, including children and teenagers.

Despite being recognised as a serious and disabling condition many people experience great difficulty when it comes to obtaining a diagnosis or help with management.

So to mark ME Awareness Month, The ME Association wants to hear from as many people as possible about their experiences – good or bad – of coping with ME. We have produced a questionnaire on treatments that work, treatments that don't work, and what people want when it comes to GP and hospital based services.

If you have ME, or care for someone with ME, please try and fill in the questionnaire. An electronic version is available on the ME Association website at: www.meassociation.org.uk. A paper version will be available later from the ME Association.
Neil Riley, chairman, ME Association

Bus pass solution
A SIMPLE solution to the question of delays in issuing the new bus passes allowing older people to travel all around England would be to permit us to use our old pass. Mine does not run out until 2011 and has a picture just as the proposed new ones. This would stop a lot of hardship among pensioners awaiting the new passes.
Brian, from Banner Cross

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