THIS is a true story.

I am 86 and I remember my first trip to Blackpool. My mother took me and my sister, aged eight, when I was 10 on a cheap excursion by rail and we were delighted to spend our time in the tower.

I don't remember much about the tower itself but I do remember the zoo, which was quite an attraction. We stood by the monkeys and watched their antics also the birds and other small animals. Then, we wended our way to the large cages where the lions and tigers were.

We stopped to watch the leopard and our Mother said: "Ee, doesn't he look tame." I don't know whether he took umbrage at this, but he turned round, lifted his tail and sprayed the three of us from head to foot - Mother receiving the full impact. We two sisters thought this was funny and we giggled. Mother wasn't pleased at all and gave us a good smack. Later, as Mother ushered us out of the Tower, a pervading smell was beginning to make us feel sick.

Mother decided to walk us along the beach hoping Blackpool's breezes would clear the stench away. A tornedo wouldn't have had any impact on it - it was overpowering.

Mother was wearing a brown coat and, before long, orange spots were appearing down the front. This was another indignity.

We went to the railway station, hoping to find an empty carriage, but the train was full. Our fellow passengers were, in the words of the old Queen, 'not amused'.

Since those days, I am always wary of standing in front of an animal's cage. As the saying goes, 'Once bitten, twice shy.'

NELLIE HARDMAN, Edgeside Lane, Waterfoot.

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