WITHIN hours of last week's Journal hitting the mat the solution to a missing person problem was solved.

A reader asked me to find out the whereabouts of Leigh singer Jimmy Eckersley, stage name Tony Rome for a former Kirkhall Lane, Leigh, neighbour of his who emigrated to Canada in the 50s.

His sister Pat Parr, who still lives on the Lane tells me, for other fans interested in his whereabouts, that he actually sang under the name of Tony Lawrence, is now 71, lives in Leicester, and though he loves his music, only sings in the Spanish bars when he is on holiday.

He starred in the northern clubs and worked at Leigh's Woodend Pit. When the mine closed he moved to the Nottingham coalfield and stayed down there.

He was also in my mother's class at St Paul's school!

Thanks to column reader Jean Wainwright who suggested ways that I might clear my carpet of munching moths. I've tried the powerful vac solution, scrubbing and even fitting a new carpet, but it didn't work. They're back. I'll just have to take Jean's advice and add bay leaves, allspice, cedar chips and conkers to the moth balls decorating the edges of the room. It'll smell like a French lady of the night's boudoir.