GOOD to learn that one of York's best pubs, the Blue Bell, is adopting a clean air policy.

Smokers, don't panic. You can still puff away to your heart's discontent at the 206-year-old boozer. This restriction is aimed at an altogether different set of polluters.

It came to our attention when two of the Diary's friends visited the Fossgate pub last Friday evening. They were enjoying a post-football match pint when they became aware of an eye-watering change in the atmospheric conditions.

The smell was awful. But because it had been discharged noiselessly no one in the two small bars knew who was to blame - except the culprit.

After much wafting and many exclamations of disgust, the invisible menace was dispersed. People went back to their conversations only for another silent detonation, riper than the first, to lead to general outrage.

Landlord Jim Hardie spotted the Diary's informants "sniggering like little schoolkids" and, believing one of them to be responsible for the malodorous events, ordered them from the real ale pub.

They slunk towards the door, the disapproving eyes of every remaining drinker upon them. But both vehemently maintain their innocence, insisting they were laughing at something entirely unrelated.

Far from retracting his verdict, Jim tells the Diary he wanted to "get an air freshener and spray it right up their a**e".

"I don't see why the rest of my customers should have to put up with that."

It is not the first time he has thrown out a drinker for noxious emissions, and he urges other licensees adopt a similar zero tolerance approach.

The two chaps concerned, big fans of the Blue Bell, want the whole thing to blow over. They are seeking clear-the-air talks.

Just watch out for that air freshener, lads.

HERE'S a conundrum for the fashionable woman-about-town: boobs or bum?

Anyone making a purchase at the Virginware lingerie store in Coney Street gets to take home their merchandise in this rather striking bag.

This provides a dilemma. When you throw the bag casually over your shoulder, should you display the bra picture or the knickers? And what does your choice say about you?

The Diary was given the bag by a shopper who opted for the third way: transferring the items to a more seemly container and stuffing the rather up-front Virgin bag out of sight.

WE are delighted to report that top Sixties York group the Pathfinders are to be reunited, and might well play their first gig in years tonight.

Back in January, the Diary awarded them the coveted First York Band To Be Named After A Car award. They took their name from a Riley 2.6 Pathfinder.

As a result of that piece, there will be a Pathfinders reunion at the Ship Inn, Acaster Malbis, tonight. "Apparently many old band members meet there on a regular basis for an evening of sad old music and old lamp swinging rock and roll stories," jokes founding member David Jackson, who has been in touch already with another band member Graham Metcalfe.

"Our original third member will also be present and I gather we may even be tempted into playing - after 40 years." Who knows where this will lead... rocking on the road again?

Write to: The Diary, Chris Titley, The Evening Press, 76-86 Walmgate, York YO1 9YN

Email diary@ycp.co.uk

Telephone (01904) 653051 ext 337

Updated: 09:28 Wednesday, February 25, 2004