PETER BARRON’S mention of a complete stranger passing by while he was waiting at the traffic lights near Sainsbury’s, in Darlington, and asking if he was on his way to “get your salad” (Echo, June 23) reminds me of an experience when I lived in the town’s Skerne Park area.

Making my way home from a shop in Clifton Road, crossing the road in Parkside, I was stood in the middle waiting to let an oncoming taxi pass.

Suddenly a loud voice shouted “watch out luv”.

I found myself taking a couple or so steps backward, almost beyond my own volition. Had I not done so (and wouldn’t have if not for that voice) I’d have been cleaned up by the taxi which had overtaken a cyclist.

I paused, to look for the kind person obviously more aware of the situation than I was, to thank them.

To my amazement, there wasn’t a living soul in sight.

Bethany-Megan Robinson, Bishop Auckland.