AN 80-year-old visiting Welshman who found himself lost in St Helens while taking a stroll in near-blizzard conditions has penned a tribute in rhyme to the Christmas kind-heart who rescued him from his predicament.

And I'm delighted to report that the Good Samaritan in question was none other than the Star's Rugby League doyen, Denis Whittle, who happened to be rushing around doing a bit of last-minute gift buying on Christmas Eve.

He had been approached by anxious octogenarian Caradog Jones, from Morfa Nefyn, Gwynedd, North Wales, who asked if he could direct him towards Long Meadow, Eccleston, where he was staying for the Yuletide holiday with his daughter.

"It was bitterly cold with a howling wind and ice forming," explains Denis. "The old gentleman explained that he had decided to take a stroll and promptly got lost in unfamiliar surroundings."

So, without hesitation the doughty Denis, himself a senior citizen, offered a car lift to the Eccleston address and en route was amazed to learn that that the Welsh veteran's daughter was someone that he had known for years -- headmistress Dylis Ball.

Denis dropped off his grateful passenger at the doorstep, asking him to convey his good wishes to Dylis. Our sporty scribe then left the scene and thought no more about it.

That was until the following touching tribute from Caradog arrived this week:

T'was Christmas Eve, wintry and wet when I went out a-walking,

Hold on, you haven't heard it yet,This tale will get you talking.

I trod along with grit and heart to serve my constitution,

But in a while, with quite a start,I suffered some confusion.

Although I recognised a local storeI could not then go further,

Where was it? Left or right? Oh Lord! I was in such a bother.

When all at once I saw this gent,walking with verve towards me,

I told him whence I was bent. He said: "Taff, where from prithee?"

"I am a guest of David Ball,from yonder far Long Meadow,"

And he replied: "I know it all now,You're Dylis Ball's old Daddo!"

Of all the folk in MerseysideI know you won't belittle

The fact that I chose for my guide the well-known Denis Whittle.

He kindly drove me to my hosts, in truly Christmas spirit,

I'll raise my glass in worthy toast:"To Denis -- and without limit!"

NOW that's what I call a gradely tribute; and one deserving of the quiet man of sporting journalism.