THE EVENING Press launched its Proud To Be York campaign five years ago today.

An anniversary investigation has shown that most of our Corners of Shame have been vastly improved. But one eyesore, voted York's worst five years ago, is still decaying in the city centre.

The White Swan Hotel, in Piccadilly, remains dilapidated and unrepaired, despite numerous claims that it is an embarrassment to the city.

Proud To Be York started today in 1998 in an effort to highlight the pride people showed to make sure the city looks its best.

But it also showed parts of the city residents thought were a disgrace. Five years on, most have been hugely improved.

The Evening Press revisited the spots nominated by readers at the time as Corners of Shame.

They included:

New Walk, the riverside path between Skeldergate and the Blue Bridge, which was nominated because of litter and the condition of seating areas

Lendal Bridge, which was criticised for looking untidy and in need of painting

Piccadilly House, on the corner of Walmgate and St Denys Road

A dilapidated building on the corner of Foss Islands Road, opposite Walmgate Bar

The White Swan Hotel.

All but one have seen huge improvements since the campaign started.

New Walk has been revamped as part of the Millennium Walkway improvements. It is cleaner and features modern seats

Lendal Bridge is resplendent following a closure in which it was completely repainted

Piccadilly House has been knocked down and has been replaced by apartments

The building in Foss Islands Road is now being replaced by a development of apartments.

But the White Swan continues as an eyesore.

City of York Council has been attempting to find a way to revamp the building for years, but has had problems tracing the owner. A council spokesman said: "We have now contacted the owner and we suggested that we can work together to bring the building back into use, with a view to using it for affordable housing. Nothing came of that, which is disappointing.

"From a planning and enforcement point of view, the building has been put on the back burner until we know how Piccadilly is going to develop with the Coppergate II proposal. We are waiting for the Secretary of State's decision about that."

Updated: 10:03 Tuesday, April 01, 2003