THERE are many sights in York which make the heart soar, not least that of families excitedly trekking along the Bar Walls for the first time.

Unfortunately, there are as many sights which make the heart sink these days.

Every time the Diary trips along Foss Islands Road and sees that modern block now being built, depression sets in.

It towers over the Bar Walls, interrupting their ancient flow, trashing a view unspoilt for centuries.

Why do our planners allow it?

Answers on a postcard please.

HERE'S a game to cheer us up, available to anyone with an Internet connection.

The Google search engine now offers maps (maps.google.co.uk). First, type in York. Smart as you like, a street map of our city is on show.

Now the fun begins. Clear the box, type in a dodgy word, hit return, and see what pops up.

We tried "brothel" and Google instantly suggested York Tourist Information Centre.

But that wasn't the computer's favourite recommendation. Type in "orgy", or "nipples", or "sexy" and what should pop up but... BBC Radio York.

TRANSPORT historian Derek Rayner is dismayed by plans to demolish the Kwik Save supermarket on Hull Road and build flats there. The move will see the loss of "another of York's links with its past engineering heritage," he writes.

The building, he explains, was built at the turn of the last century as an assembly plant for steam cars.

Here the British Power Traction & Lighting Company Ltd made the French design Serpollet style steam cars for a short while.

Unfortunately, York's attempt at a car industry went the same way as Rover - only a lot quicker.

"Throughout the company's short life it continually traded at a loss and consequently a receiver was appointed in August 1902," writes Mr Rayner, of Acomb.

He concludes wistfully: "Who knows what might have happened if the steam cars and the BPTL firm had been more successful and continued in production.

"Would York have had its own thriving car industry and rivalled the West Midlands in the production of transport for the masses?"

STILL with transport, the Diary learns that Cycle Heaven in Bishopthorpe Road, York, had a celebrity customer the other day.

Double Paralympic champion Dame Tammi Grey Thompson bought a child bike trailer to attach to the back of her wheelchair from the bicycle specialists.

That is one kid who'll be travelling at speed...

WE received an emailed press release from North Yorkshire Police Authority the other day headed "Vest Value Review".

Scrutiny of bobbies' undergarment requirements is long overdue, we thought.

Then came the apology. The email "should of course been headed up Best Value Review," wrote the press officer. "Dodgy fingers this morning."

What a shame.

YORK designer Scott Henshall has had some demanding customers in recent years, including Jodie Kidd and Charlotte Church.

But now he has been employed by the ultimate diva.

Scott has been over in Hollywood designing the outfits for a new film, Material Girls produced by... Madonna.

It is a dream job for the man who once told the Evening Press: "I am obsessed by Madonna. She was a trendsetter in the Eighties and Nineties and an icon today."

Updated: 09:03 Tuesday, May 17, 2005