I HAVE reluctantly decided to surrender my driving licence on July 1 – which is my 85th birthday.

I have held a clean licence for almost 60 years but now several factors have made me decide on this decision.

My reactions are slower and the pace of driving has increased many times. Gone are the days when the family were young and you could look forward to a peaceful ride out into the countryside for a picnic. Driving was then a pleasure.

Several other factors such as the price of fuel, road tax and insurance have also influenced my decision. There is no compulsory age to surrender a licence and, at present, it is left to the individual to make the decision.

So I will now rely on my bus pass to travel the roads. I am sure I will be a little richer.

RB Seyburn, Billingham.