Herr Klaus Sturmer, 38, of Hamburg, arrived at Royston Vasey Halt on the 14:07 from the city on Sunday afternoon, intending, he later explained, to spend a weekend walking the local lanes and 'experiencing the rural English temperament'.

He was, instead, detained at the station for four hours by Mr Albert Cropper, the station master, who took exception to what he described as 'an excessive quantity of cheese' in Herr Sturmer's small rucksack. Mr Cropper has not, in his thirty-one years of service, encountered cheese in such volume.

Herr Sturmer attempted to explain, in good but heavily accented English, that the cheese was a personal supply and that he intended to consume it himself, on benches, throughout the weekend. Mr Cropper, who is not unsympathetic, said this was 'not the sort of thing that happens here'.

After consultation with the Parish Council, Herr Sturmer was released without charge, although his cheese was retained 'pending guidance'. He continued his walking holiday and has subsequently written to the Echo to say that the rest of his visit was 'most pleasant, despite the small early difficulty'.

We wish him a safe onward journey.