IT'S been a mixed few days for York's Elvises.

First the good news. Presley impersonator Paul Bulmer took on 50 contenders at the Walk A Golden Mile In My Shoes event in Blackpool, Europe's largest Elvis convention and contest - and came an impressive fourth.

In the final, held last Saturday, which would have been Elvis's 70th birthday, he stormed with Slicin' Sand and There Goes My Everything, dancing with members of the audience on stage.

Two of the judges were Larry Geller, Elvis's hairstylist and spiritual mentor, and his wife. They gave Paul top marks.

"In the final a lot of people said I was robbed and should have been in the first three," says Paul, who lives off Huntington Road.

"Larry Geller came up later and said, 'You are a true Elvis friend', shook me by the hand and gave me a hug. That to me was better than first place."

This year Paul, 38, an IT specialist, plans to get even closer to his musical mentor - now at number one in the charts - with a fantastic new outfit. In April he will take delivery of the "owl jumpsuit", in dazzling blue, studded with gold and complete with cape. It is being tailored by the maker of Elvis's stage costumes in America, BK Enterprises, and cost $1,800.

"I lost my mum last year," says Paul. "I took my dad with me to the Blackpool contest. He said the jumpsuit is 'a birthday present from me and your mum'."

After coming third in last year's Elvis Academy in York and his European success, would Paul say he is York's top Elvis?

"I would say so. We used to have Eddie Vee at one point but he came nowhere in the Elvis Academy, where I came third, and he obviously didn't qualify for the Blackpool event and I have finished in the top four."

Paul is on the bill at a variety show to raise funds for the tsunami appeal at Huntington Working Men's Club on February 16.

THE inimitable Eddie Vee has clocked up more TV appearances than other Elvis impersonators have had burgers. His popularity keeps him motoring around the region to perform to appreciative fans.

Or it did, until he had his moped nicked. He went to all his charity gigs on the 50cc mean machine.

"It was taken by two young children aged about ten or 11 the week before Christmas," says Eddie.

"It was recovered a couple of days later but has been totally written off. The third party insurance did not even cover the cost of repairs.

"I want to know if there might be anybody out there who could help with a replacement." If you can help, contact the Diary.

THE Diary's renewed appeal for a statue of Saint Douglas of Craig, former York City chairman, brought this response from Steve Mortimer.

"After selling the ground back for a mere million pounds (can anyone remember the very low price St Craig and his followers paid for it?) we should have a collection for a plinth for him, as long as he agrees to stand on it in the Bootham Crescent car park on match days along with his followers.

"I'm sure York City fans would doff their caps as we pass and thank him for the position we are now in, for without his bit of business we might be in the Football League..."

Updated: 09:10 Friday, January 14, 2005