BOFFINS in York have rubbished claims that mobile phones are wiping out millions of bees nationwide.

The reports alleged that signals from phones were causing English bees to lose their sense of direction and eventually die of exposure.

But the National Bee Unit, based at Sand Hutton, York, dismissed the claims as "speculation" and confirmed that the phenomenon - known as Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) - had not yet reached England.

Linda Scott, spokeswoman for the bee unit, said: "We are aware of the serious situation in the USA with respect to CCD, but there is no evidence that it is affecting UK hives. It is pure speculation."

US studies into CCD have shown that bees do not return to their hives if nearby mobiles are left switched on, meaning hives are left without adult bees, unhatched insects are abandoned and stores of honey and pollen are left untouched.

But despite reports of entire bee colonies being wiped out in London and the South East, experts in York insist that CCD is yet to reach British shores.

Mrs Scott said: "It is not unusual for some colonies to be found dead or absent at the end of winter. Rates for 2007 indicate 22 per cent mortality compared with 15 per cent last year.

"We have had reports from one or two beekeepers who have lost a significant number of bees and we are investigating these cases.

"We don't think there are any beekeepers in North Yorkshire who have experienced unusual colony losses."


Hair-raising gaffe

AS embarrassing typos go, it's up there with the worst.

One simple letter omitted, and the meaning is changed entirely.

We sympathise with the Castle Area Campaign group (CAC), of course. It's an easy mistake to make. Anyone can miss that little l' out, after all. Nonetheless, it was an embarrassing howler by any standards. So what did the campaign group do, you ask?

Well, in a recent flyer, the CAC included an item about urban environment policy, in which it wrote: "The Government has announced an £89 million Liveability Fund for innovative projects."

And where are these projects to be based? Well, according to CAC: "In pubic parks."

Crikey!


Hunt for blondes

WERE you ever a member of an all-girl band during the Second World War?

Producers of Alan Plater's play Blonde Bombshells Of 1943 are searching for any ladies in the region who may have been an original blonde bombshell or, in particular, a member of the Ivy Benson All Girls Band.

The show will run at the Grand Opera House, York, from May 29 to June 2, when the cast would be delighted to meet with you and hear you story.

First, however, you need to send a vintage photo with details to press officer Celestine Dubruel, Grand Opera House, Cumberland Street, York, YO1 9SW, enclosing a stamped addressed envelope.

"We promise you a VIP night out to remember and a chance to re-live some of your memories," Celestine says.