While walking my dog, Polly, I was attempting to cross the cycle lane on Hove seafront when I noticed a cycle approaching some yards away.

I stepped back and kept my dog on a short lead to enable the cyclist to pass.

I smiled, only to be greeted with abuse, most of which I couldn't hear but which concluded with the words "cycle path".

With unaccustomed presence of mind, I replied: "I know, I pay for it."

Surely this must have been a specimen of that endangered (at least I hope so) species, the silly old bat.

Should I inform the WWF?

-Kay M Smith and Polly, Hove