READER Robert Lastdrager, from Clifton Hill, had a little problem with his car's horn just before Christmas on his way to get it serviced.

Every time he stopped behind a line of traffic the horn inexplicably went off.

He managed to startle an elderly lady pushing a shopping trolley, hassle a woman with her two small children and peeve a bunch of burly blokes in a truck.

When they all shot angry glances back at him all he could do was hold up his hands and say sorry.

The autoelectrician who finally silenced it suggested he should have just yelled out "Merry Christmas" every time the horn went off.

"I wish I'd thought of that," said Robert.