The Diary has always been driven to distraction by useless, misplaced or unnecessary road signs - so this scene came as no surprise.

Spotted by Ian Hughes, of Terrington Stores and Post Office, near Malton, these "helpful" diversion signs have been presenting motorists in Ryedale with an unenviable choice to make at a T-junction.

"You make your own mind up which way you would go," says Ian.

The signs - for what they are worth - will be there for the next four weeks, while engineers repair a culvert which passes under the road.

Ian adds: "The diversionary routes to avoid this road closure between Terrington Bank and Sheriff Hutton are horrendous, down very small country lanes - not to mention the extra carbon emissions, caused by the excessive mileage of the detours.

"After watching Top Gear's efforts at speeding up road repairs on TV the other night, I wonder if you could possibly arrange for the Top Gear team to do the work on the road."

Lacking such powers, The Diary can only wish Terrington and Sheriff Hutton residents well over the next month.

Oh, and we would recommend taking the left turn.


MEANWHILE, we have been amusing ourselves by singing along to a particularly catchy tune, called Aviva.

The Diary has acquired a copy of a motivational tune which is claimed to be from those lovely people at Norwich Union - but we think it's probably a spoof.

At least we hope it is, because with lines such as "we've got to be the best", "forward thinking is our way", and "teamwork with a capital T", even David Brent's stomach would be turning.

There's even a particularly cringeworthy rap in the middle.

But it got us thinking and now The Diary would like to know if any other York businesses have their own theme tunes.

Are Nestlé workers busily singing along to You're Sweet Like Chocolate, by Shanks and Bigfoot?

Have you heard anyone humming "British Sugar, aaah honey honey" in an adaptation of the Archies' hit single?

Or is there a GNER version of Kylie's locomotion? "Jump up, jump back, 'cos leaves are on the tra-ack, woah woah"

Any genuine examples of company songs, please let us know.