Day Glo. Day-ay-ay Glo. Day Glo come and you can't park for toffee...

Apologies to Harry Belafonte fans, but we couldn't resist this musical tribute to the new double yellow lines dazzling drivers across our metropolis.

Every other street is suddenly sporting a vivid pair of parallel paint marks. Even in the dark, the neon lines corral motorists away from the streets and into the car parks, where they now must pay for the privilege of going nowhere.

The double yellows have caused much comment. A letter we received from Richard Fletcher of Osbaldwick sums up the general gist:

"I have never seen such a revolting colour as the new yellow lines being painted in the city centre. Day Glo yellow!

"For a beautiful city such as ours, the older colour was not ideal but this is just dreadful. Can you imagine all the tourist's photographs of our glorious buildings with violent yellow lines winding up the print? Please think again.

"Likewise the new double lines are in places where in the evening people could park with no problems, such as Walmgate and Deangate to name but two, where even in the day would be useful short-stay places."

Like Richard, we were no great fans of the Birds Custard flavour of the previous yellow lines. But this electric lemon shade is even worse.

Apparently, however, the colour is not entirely the council's fault.

"The colour is primrose yellow and national guidelines state that this or cream must be used for yellow lines in all conservation areas," a council spokeswoman reveals.

"So, whenever the lines are repainted, this colour will be used from now on."

Can't we have a vote on it? The Diary already has a slogan: Cream Not Gleam.

THE Lord Mayor is having redecorating problems of his own. Coun Charles Hall's Mansion House home is under aerial attack from incontinent pigeons.

As we reported last week, spikes are being fitted to stop the birds roosting on the building.

We were fascinated to find out that the council takes the problem very seriously. Members of the design and conservation team even took advice on the most appropriate method of tackling the problem from the Pigeon Control Advisory Service (aka PICAS).

Yes, it really exists.

Spikes are certainly a better option than feeding the birds grain treated with narcotics, according to the PICAS web site.

"Perth City Authority, in Australia, carried out a narcotizing operation in 1999 that went disastrously wrong.

"The contractor concerned treated grain with the wrong dose of the narcotic and stupefied birds were seen crashing into cars and buses, flying into shop windows and causing mayhem in Perth City Centre."

THE delightful tableau featured on Friday's front page, showing a pair of young ladies in the throws of an evening's divertissement, was a work of art.

"Just wanted to say congratulations to all concerned, particularly the photographer, for possibly the best picture I have ever seen," emails Tom Sharp, one of the organisers of the York Comedy Festival.

"To have the indignity of being caught snogging a tramp while your friend is sick on your shoes is bad enough. To be pictured wearing those disgusting pink Pixie Boots makes it even worse."

WHAT are those first-time buyers moaning about? In last week's Property Press we spotted a delightful place, just off The Mount, for the bargain price of £18,000.

Okay, so it is a garage measuring 15ft by 8ft, but it has potential...

Updated: 09:31 Monday, March 22, 2004