THE wheel was invented many years ago and is probably one of the most important things that man ever made. It formed the basis for a great many future inventions and made life a great deal easier for all of us.

Over the last century for instance, public transport such as the railways and buses have changed our lives completely enabling us to travel anywhere we wish to go.

The car has also been a boon to us all, as with other road vehicles, such as lorries and other commercial vehicles, but so many are being produced that it can't be long before we are outnumbered by them.

In the main, the wheel has been a very useful and helpful invention. used properly. But things are now starting to change. In the hands of uncaring and ignorant people it can become a very dangerous almost lethal weapon. There are three things you have to be very wary of. Number one is the supermarket trolley. When fully loaded it will almost break your ankles. They are really hard to avoid if the driver (usually a woman) is determined to get you. Another tactic used is to drive down the aisles two abreast and then stop and have a long chat with a neighbour they haven't met for at least 10 minutes.

Number two is the child's pram, assuming, of course, that there is a child inside that polythene bag. They are very skilled at chopping away at your ankles and blocking the aisles, but they do very often apologise when they have brought you to your knees.

Number three is the ordinary shopping trolley. That can be the worst. They can get you anywhere. In a shop, on a bus, in the street, on a train or anywhere. Give them a wide berth.

There's no doubt about it, the wheel was a wonderful invention, but they went too far when they thought of those trolleys. In the wrong hands, which most of them are, they are lethal weapons and they are on the increase. Nowadays in the shopping centre one has to be very agile to come away unscathed. You have to watch out for bicycles, skateboards, prams, scooters, skates, trolleys, shollies, other things on wheels, but most of all the people that push, drag or peddle them. They are out to get you.

And when it happens they'll give you a nice smile and say sorry. But do not be fooled. It only means that they've scored again and if blood is drawn you've made her day.

W.T., Garswood (name and address supplied).