WHILE surfing the net the other day, I chanced upon your web site, 'This is Lancashire' and the 'Looking Back' archive. What memories it brought back.

Born in Lancashire in 1942, I lived in the now-vanished Mount Street in Blackburn until I moved to London in 1951.

My friend and I spent many happy hours playing in the Old Mount Street Chapel cemetery, which was opposite my home and was recalled in 'Memorial to a murder victim ' (LET, July 15).

We also spent a lot of time playing on the nearby Fish Hillock, oblivious of any dangers the trains might have posed -- 'Dock scene fished out of obscurity ' (LET, December 2 2001). Further along from the Fish Dock, nearer to the tunnel, there was another siding area where I remember we watched the mounts of the Household Cavalry being unloaded, I believe, for the Royal Lancashire Show.

I also remember the pair of us standing at the entrance to the Ribble bus garage and gaping in awe at the first Leyland Royal Tiger to go into service -- 'Pantomime treat for the foundry families"' (LET, December 24, 2001).

What a splendid sight it was. When one of the drivers took us over to see it close up, inside as well, we thought that our Christmas and birthday had all arrived at once.

Sundays, when the weather was good, were often the occasion for a day out in the country with grandpa.

Wilpshire and Ribchester were frequently visited -- 'Steam revival stokes memories' (LET, June 10).

ROBERT BEARD, Washford Lane, Parkside, Redditch, Worcs.