ONE always rejoices over lost sheep found (Letters, April 15 ). Earlier this month, my neighbour David showed me a bunch of keys he had found lying in the gutter in Carr Lane, Acomb.

My heart shrank. I lose keys daily. I am familiar with the shock and horror of it all; but my keys are single keys, and they eventually turn up inexplicably in unlikely locations, such as my dressing table or a forgotten pocket.

This hefty bunch was a key-collection representing a lock by lock intrusion into some unknown’s personal life.

We discussed what to do. David had made on the spot enquiries to no avail. He next visited Acomb’s occasionally manned police station, but it was locked up and deserted. Not one to give in, David then drove to Fulford police station, where he handed over the keys and left his address.

Presumably, these keys were not those lost by J M McCloy, but the trouble taken by the anonymous finder was doubtless as painstaking and laudable.

Such acts of kindness serve to remind us that, after all, we live amongst friends.

William Dixon Smith, Welland Rise, Acomb, York.