I am attempting to contact a friendly, attractive and well-presented lady who I spoke to in the local Eodangotta Newsagency during the middle of last month.

I was using the shop's photocopier and was aware of another wishing to use it.

After a brief discussion, I offered to do one copy for her but, as it was set on four copies, that is what she received.

Only after I had finished and she had left the shop did I, as a single person, feel I should have introduced myself in the hope of a further, less accidental meeting.

Our brief conversation revealed her forthcoming trip back to Brighton - presumably to visit relatives as I believe her to be of English origins.

I ran an advert in the local paper to no avail.

As I feel the lady is currently on holiday in or visiting her native Brighton, I am keen to have her contact me on her return to Australia by reading of my quest in your newspaper.

It is no "Sleepless In Seattle" and I guess there is always the chance she is married and, if so, this needn't be embarrassing as she could just phone to advise me such.

Incidentally, my paternal grandfather emigrated as a three-year-old with his family in 1874, leaving their home, the Dog and Partridge Inn in Marchington, Staffs, embarking for Melbourne (Victoria) on the SS Great Britain from Bristol.

Years ago, BBC2 ran a British landmark (and surnames) series revealing my surname as old English, Straet+tun, meaning "farm on a Roman road".

I have occasionally enjoyed your historic seaside city and your local races. I hope you can be the catalyst for a successful search.

-John Stretton, 270 The Grove, Binya Avenue, Kirra, Old, 4225, Australia