YOUR recent features about rag and bone men -- such as the loveable Valderee -- made my mind wander back to my youth.

When I was a young girl, we had a rag and bone man who came frequently round our area. He used to lift me on to his cart, so I could see what he had.

And I always had an apple in my pocket to give to his fine horse. It is a shame that there are no traditional rag and bone men now.

Many years have passed since those days and, as I like a bargain, I go around jumble sales and car sales, but I would love to see the dear old rag and bone men take to the streets once more.

BRENDA CRONSHAW (Mrs), Oldfield Avenue, Darwen.