ONE of our media is missing.

Keith Chapman, of St Custance Walk, York, is a viewer of York TV but tuned in last week to find nothing but dead air. He did adjust his set, but to no avail.

The snowy fuzz turned out not to be an exciting addition to the schedule, but a technical failure.

When the Diary made inquiries on Keith's behalf, we were told that the station, based at Askham Bryan, has been off air for weeks.

Judging by their restrained reaction to this catastrophe (Keith's complaint was the only one we have received) York TV's loyal viewers are a stoic bunch.

A nice man at the station told us that it was undergoing an upgrade. The website promises that "the channel and website will relaunch in late April".

Now the broadcasters hope to be going live again in a couple of weeks.

"It's ongoing," our man in Studio One sighed.

"A few technical problems..."

Another source suggests that the station's outside broadcast camera had been sent to Japan months ago for repairs, where it lingers still. Whether it will be back in time for the delayed relaunch remains to be seen, much like the TV station itself.

Watch this space (rather than the one in the corner of your living room).

LONDON-based PR companies are always looking for ways to make their clients seem relevant to the provincial press.

A game try came with a press release extolling some new baby products.

It took the form of a parents' holiday survival guide, which began: "How the whole family can enjoy a trip to Jorkiv Centre."

Next stop... the National Wailray Museum.

NOT long to go now, everybody. The General Election is nearly at an end, and thank heavens as we couldn't stand much more excitement.

York's Labour man Hugh Bayley was electioneering at Rowntree's this week (but gave Terry's a wide berth for some reason).

Eagle-eyed readers will have spotted that our photograph showed Nestl Rowntree factory manager Martin Cruft wearing a mob cap while Hugh was bare headed.

The politician was not showing a reckless disregard for works hygiene. He sported his cap while admiring the choccies, only whipping it off for the photograph outside, with the words: "I don't think people need to see me in a hairnet."

Oh but we think they do. There is nothing that New Labour likes more than a choice - so here's hairnetless Hugh (top), and when he got netted at Rowntree's six years earlier. You decide.

Updated: 09:27 Wednesday, May 04, 2005