FLIPPERS, check. Wetsuit, check. Breathing apparatus, check. You are now ready to venture into York.

Judging by the output of certain national media, that is the only way we can go about our business right now. For York, read Atlantis.

It seems the city is suffering from a severe case of that peculiarly modern condition, hype. People are cancelling their holidays believing York to be marooned.

We all know that the River Ouse is a regular at the Kings Arms. But some mischievous outsiders cannot resist making a torrent out of a trickle.

Updated: 10:00 Thursday, February 05, 2004