SINCE I became a widow, I rely on the Dial and Ride service to take me into town and to the supermarkets for shopping.

I do not know where City of York Council find the drivers, but I cannot speak too highly of them; they look after us oldies as if we were royalty.

We are collected from our own front doors, helped off and on the minibus, they carry all our shopping - if you can't manage to fasten your seatbelt, they will do it for you.

On return they make sure we are safely installed in our own homes before they drive off. All this is done in the most cheerful manner. I have never known one of them have a bad day.

I would like if I may, through The Press, to wish all the drivers a happy new year. Best wishes, also, to Valerie who takes our phone calls and gets us all on the right minibus; and to one of our drivers who has been so ill - here's to better health in 2007.

Thank you for the super service.

Mrs M Stoker, Melcombe Avenue, Strensall, York.