I wonder if readers could help me. I took part in the HCVS London-Brighton rally on Sunday, May 2, which finished at Madeira Drive, in a 1920 Dennis fire engine.

Unfortunately, when we were packing up to leave, I inadvertently left a jack handle for my fire engine on the road. It is a metal bar about 2.5ft long and an inch wide with a wooden handle.

As it was also made in 1920, and belongs to the engine, I won't be able to replace it. I did not discover the loss until Monday, May 3.

I know it is a long shot but I was wondering if one of your readers might have found it. I have already contacted the Brighton cleansing department but they found nothing.

We came second in our class and had a good run from London to Brighton, which can often be difficult in a vehicle that only goes at about 20 mph. It also only has metal brake shoes on the rear wheels and the brake pedal and the accelerator pedal are transposed relative to modern cars - all of which can make emergency stops rather hair-raising in London traffic.

I hope you can help me.

-Barry Hutchinson, Middle Drive, Ponteland, Northumberland