SIR – During the pleasant interval between Christmas and the start of the new year, I came upon a couple of sights that I thought were consigned to history.

The first, a once-familiar spectacle on the streets of Bradford, was a wagon heavily-laden with bales of wool.

The second left me speechless. On a single 12-minute journey between Queensbury and the city centre, I spotted no fewer than three enterprising rag and bone men complete with traditional horse and cart!

Is this a modern day record? Or is it simply an indication of the national austerity measures promised by the Government?

My interpretation is positive. After all, my horoscope for the new year tells me to expect a financial windfall.

Now, how do I translate three lucky salvage operatives and steeds into six winning lottery numbers?

John Charles Jackson, Long Meadows, Burley-in-Wharfedale