FURTHER memories of scrap-metal gatherer Bob Dudley, mentioned at length on this ancient page recently, have come in from Fingerpost reader Mrs M. Swift.

Known throughout the borough as Cockney Bob, because of the London accent he'd cultivated over the years (though he'd never been within 200 miles of the sound of Bow Bells!) he was a town-centre character held in high affection.

A familiar sight during the 'fifties and 'sixties, trundling an old pram swaying under the weight of scrap he'd gleaned to earn a daily crust, pint-sized Bob was reduced to living rough until he finally ended his days in the warmth and comfort of a Salvation Army hostel.

Says Mrs Swift: "He was a nice man who wouldn't have hurt a fly. I used to work at Kelly's brickworks and sometimes, while brushing up around the kilns, I'd find Bob fast asleep, curled up in one of the kilns. It was nice and warm in there."

And as he was doing no harm, no-one ever disturbed Bob from his well-earned slumber before setting off once more on that daily scrap gathering mission.

THANKS for the memory, Mrs S.