YES, it's that time of year again, when elected representatives dust off the cobwebs of the council chamber and pound the streets in search of votes.

Political propaganda of all colours is already piling on to York's doormats ahead of the city council elections on May 3.

There can be a curious satisfaction in seeing these city fathers and mothers face the scrutiny of ordinary folk on the doorstep.

But spare a thought for the dedicated citizens. An unexpected hazard of local politicos has been highlighted courtesy of Fishergate Green councillor Andy D'Agorne.

In his blog, Coun D'Agorne tells of the dangers of "the silent dog behind the front door".

He tells of a recent near-miss when he felt a mutt's front teeth on his fingertips, and offers some advice from a fellow Green Party member.

Apparently, the political activist's secret weapon is an off-cut of wood.

The unnamed leafletter recounts: "So far, yesterday and today, I have collected three dog-bites on my stick and three near misses, one of my assailants being an Alsatian.

"Another assailant was a little old lady who was so strong that she pulled the stick through the letter box.

"But she kindly relented, opened the door, and gave it back. She said it was her dog that captured the stick, but the deep indentations look to me to have the imprint of false teeth."

More specialist tips are offered as to the precise size of the off-cut (down to the eighth of an inch), and how to handle a variety of letter boxes including those with "thick moustaches" and "internal flaps".

The Diary can only express its wonderment at the detail and dedication - no doubt learned through bitter experience - of these political animals.

It's certainly more impressive than the poor display of canine-baiting shown by a Lib Dem activist in the Westfield ward.

Upon hearing the menacing bark of a collie friend of The Diary, the leafletter simply abandoned the letter box, dropped the leaflet on the step, and fled.


Dungeon better get a bucket

YORK Dungeon needs to stop scaring people away.

Or they at least need to give more warning about how terrifying delving into York's dark history actually is after a family complained that the 4ft by 3ft sign at the door was not enough.

The family became embroiled in a row with bosses after they demanded a refund because they felt they had not been warned about the attraction.

They were forced to leave the Dungeon after ten minutes because their seven-year-old son was terrified.

Dungeon manager Paul Brookes said he felt the two signs warning customers the attraction was not suitable for under-eights or people of a nervous disposition, as well as the cautions given by staff at the door, were sufficient.

But he did mention that for people who were violently sick after viewing the Dungeon's "horrible" snippets of time past there would, of course, be a refund.