There are some people who are always worth chatting to, and Robin Blair - the friendly face of Darlington's Victorian Market - is one of them.

The Northern Echo: I

I popped across to see Robin this lunchtime and he told me an interesting little anecdote which underlines the value of tourism.

A woman had asked him for directions to Darlington's tourist information centre and Robin explained that there wasn't one - it had closed as a victim of the public sector spending squeeze.

He went on to volunteer his own local knowledge and the woman, who turned out to be from New Zealand, unfolded her map on the bonnet of Robin's fruit and veg van so he could point out the local attractions.

She was particularly interested in railway history so she found out about the Head of Steam Museum and Locomotion at Shildon.

The result was that she decided to stay in the area for an extra day. Food for thought?