IT is no surprise that most people consider clean toilets to be an essential part of the perfect pub. Few will return to a hostelry where you need a chemical warfare suit to enter the gents.

Friendly staff, too, are a prerequisite for a pub to thrive.

But we are surprised that the CAMRA survey found televised sport turned off many drinkers. With live Six Nations rugby and Premiership and FA Cup football, there are many York folk who spent more time in front of their boozer's box this weekend than the one at home.

Updated: 10:20 Monday, February 23, 2004