IN the summer I decided to visit the Darlington railway museum at the old North Road station with my wife.

My wife is severely disabled and, unlike me, she has no interest in trains She decided that she would like to use the toilet and have a refreshing cup of coffee at the coffee shop while I looked at the various exhibits.

However, I was told by the doorman that she would only be allowed to do this if she paid the full admission price.

As the facilities are on the platform I promised that she would not even peep at the trains, but no, to my general astonishment I was told that rules is rules.

As she needed a toilet fairly urgently I asked what she could do.

The astonishing advice I was given was to go to the museum at Shildon.

We will not be returning.

L Hester, Hartlepool.