ANYONE trying to find things to do in Acomb could find themselves getting a bit lost - at least if they follow City of York Council's latest map.

The council seems to have confused the bustling York suburb with rural North Yorkshire.

In its new Your Ward newsletter for Acomb, the authority included a sheet listing activities for young people in the area.

Oaklands Sports Centre, Moor Lane Youth Centre and Acomb Library all featured on the list - but The Diary was a tad confused when we turned the sheet over to find a map, headed "Here's what Acomb ward looks like".

We were confronted not with the anticipated site of Front Street, Beckfield Lane, Carr Lane and the old British Sugar factory.

Instead, we were greeted with a vast swathe of North Yorkshire, stretching from RAF Linton-on-Ouse to Tollerton and beyond - some ten miles north of Acomb.

Undeterred by this blunder, an informed council official has proceeded to name various Acomb landmarks on the map anyway - leading to the bizarre sight of Manor School evidently in Tollerton; Sanderson Court Community House just outside the RAF base, and All Saints' RC School and Millthorpe School both dumped in the middle of farmland, just off the A19 north of Shipton.

Rather ironically, the flyer also includes an information-box headed "Where is my ward?" - perhaps the council officers aren't the best ones to ask.

A spokeswoman for the city council told The Diary: "We can only apologise to residents who have received an incorrect map. The mistake was caused by a technical error which, unfortunately, wasn't picked up before the leaflets went out.

"We will ensure that residents in the Acomb area of the city receive the correct map in the next edition of Your Ward."

Say it with tulips

THE DIARY does get asked some funny questions. We've been quizzed as to whether we are home to the culinary treats of Kev's Kebabs, what it will cost to drive three people back to Malton at around half ten on a Sunday night if we are paid cash up front, or what we fancy as an each-way punt in the 2.40 at Kempton Park.

Given such frivolity, we were glad to receive a rather more cultured query: "Are you after some inspiration for originality this St Valentine's Day?".

Originality is officially a good thing. And, thanks to www.flowerbulbs.co.uk, we found out that loved-up types should be looking to say it with tulips this St Valentine's Day because they express real thoughtfulness, not to mention allure.


Quest for soles

It seems the closure of the York branch of Woolworths has caused some unexpected angst for at least one Diary reader. Keith Chapman contacted us, lamenting that he is now no longer able to buy stick-on soles for his shoes.

Mr Chapman says Woolies was the only place left in York where one could buy loose soles, to attach to shoes - a cheaper alternative to going to the cobblers. Now, he and those like him face a trek to Malton, Selby or Goole - unless any other readers know of alternative outlets in York? If so, let us know at the usual address.