I WOULD like to say thank you to a few dedicated individuals for their unstinted and thoughtful deeds during the festive season.

I would like to thank the two young men who so kindly pulled down the few Christmas lights I had placed on a bush in my front garden and smashed them up.

They caringly came back and did it again after I had replaced all of the bulbs.

I hope Santa brought them all they wanted.

Thank you to the large lady with a face full of McDonald's who crashed into me on the pavement on Christmas Eve, smashing the glasses I had bought my wife for her present.

The lady re-assuringly told me she "wasn't bothered" and kindly asked if I thought she looked bothered.

Tidings of comfort and joy to you, madam.

I also need to thank the merry gentlemen who brought stillness and quiet to Christmas afternoon by racing their trail bikes around Eltham Park for about four hours.

Peace to them and their friends who repeated the process in the streets the next day.

Finally, I need to thank my paperboy, who joyfully accepted the card I had left out for him, with a five pound note in it, for tearing the card into shreds and throwing it on the pavement. I hope he has a happy New Year.

NICK CRADDY

Greenvale Road

Eltham Park