A MODEST mystery good Samaritan who paid for taxis for six stranded teenage girls to get home today said he helped out because he was worried for their safety.

A MODEST mystery good Samaritan who paid for taxis for six stranded teenage girls to get home today said he helped out because he was worried for their safety.

The man – known as Simon, but who declined to give his full name – said: "I don't want publicity – I just helped out because the girls were distressed and upset."

The youngsters had enjoyed a day out at Felixstowe Carnival, seeing the big parade and the entertainment, when they went to catch the last train home.

But as two of the girls waited for their friends to catch up, the 10.55pm train back to Ipswich left without them.

They got talking to Simon and a friend of his in the town centre and he offered to help them – paying £40 for two taxis to take them home.

"They needed help and I was happy to help them – I just wanted to make sure they got home safely. I know I got into enough scrapes when I was young," he said.

"I went down to the bank machine and got the money and then went to the taxi office and ordered the taxis and paid for them."

Jenny Green, mum of Taris Green, 16, one of the girls involved, said the families wanted to say a personal thank you to Simon – and he is now going to get in touch with them.

"He was brilliant and we cannot thank him enough," said Mrs Green, of Fitzwilliam Close, Chantry, Ipswich.

"That sort of thing doesn't happen much nowadays and it is so good to know there are decent people about who will help others when they are in trouble."