MEMORIES 300, in The Northern Echo, was our aerial special edition, and a reader from Richmond was jolted to see the view of Northallerton from the sky – it was so clear that you could see the zebra crossings on the High Street.

“In 1964, the lower zebra crossing at the Romanby junction caused me to fail my first driving test,” he said.

“I was waiting to come out of the junction to turn left. The traffic was horrendous, car after car going past with little chance of a gap. I thought I had better get out soon or I will fail for being too careful. Eventually a decent gap appeared and I went for it.

“Unfortunately, at the same time, a woman at the other side of the road in a bright green and very long Mac stepped onto the crossing as I turned.

“She had taken only one step, but as I went passed, my heart sank and I knew then it was curtains for me. Sure enough, he failed me for it.

“I was never so glad as when they did away with that crossing. It was put in a terrible place.”