THE recent story '50 years in Oz but fond memories of Bolton' (Monday June 19) reminded me that my brother-in-law, Jim Wright, formerly of Stretford but now residing near Brisbane, Australia, has been asking me for years if I know a long lost friend of his called David Yates, from Bolton, with whom he served in the UK Merchant Navy and who is known to Jim as 'The Bolton Wanderer'.

Jim, who has lived in Australia since he left the merchant navy around 1967 is now 73 years of age and would like to get in touch with David if he is still in the Bolton area. Unfortunately Jim has no contact details and can give few details about David other than his age (about 70 years) and the fact that he sailed with the New Zealand Shipping Company in the 1960's

I will be happy to pass on Jim's contact details in Australia.

David Haworth

Reynolds Drive

Over Hulton