You've heard of Puss In Boots. Now meet Puss In Bag. Postie John Hunt was so taken by the cute looks of the fearless little kitten following him on his rounds in Woodthorpe he popped him in his postbag and 'catnapped' him - with his owner's permission, of course.

John first encountered Hardy - as he has named the little moggie - when delivering the post in Wains Road, York. "He followed me for about ten houses up the street, waiting at each house as I delivered the post," John recalls.

John shooed him away - but was shocked, surprised and delighted when, 30 minutes later and half a mile away, he encountered Hardy again, this time outside the Woodthorpe Post Office.

"He follows me everywhere I go," Hardy's then owner said cheerfully, popping out of the butchers next door to the post office.

John was so smitten he was allowed to keep Hardy. He popped him in his postbag and cycled off down Chaloners Road with the cheeky kitten perched in his bag happily watching the world go by.

Now Hardy has a fine berth with John aboard his houseboat - or ark, depending on Ouse water levels - the Waterlily, moored near Skeldergate Bridge.

Here he lords it over a menagerie of other animal companions that includes Nicki the Norwegian Blue parrot, Marilyn the peroxide-blond cockatiel, Beauty the budgerigar and a recently-arrived Border Collie named Scamp.

As Pottermania grips the country with the release of Harry Potter And The Philosopher's Stone it is not only the young who are falling under author JK Rowling's spell.

Many in North Yorkshire will know Arthur Benson, pictured right, universally known as Mr Toyman because of his expert knowledge of Edwardian and Victorian toys, who worked at York Castle Museum for more than 30 years before retiring in 1991.

Around this time last year Arthur decided it would be a nice idea to send his nephew's young children some Harry Potter books as Christmas presents.

However the books never arrived.

Arthur, now in his 70s, had peeked into them and become completely hooked.

"I sent them some Winnie-the-Pooh videos instead," he admits.

LOVELORN Liver Bird Julie Brown, right, met a hunky Yorkie earlier this month and hasn't slept a wink since.

The 25-year-old Lancashire lass, who is training to be a midwife, is smitten by the "gorgeous Yorkie."

This is her story: "Dearest Dick, I've never clapped eyes on the girl, honest yer 'onour I am writing to you in the hope that you can help me find a 'very nice' man I met in Blackpool on the weekend of November 3-4.

"I really want to see him again.

"My name is Julie from Liverpool and I met Paul, 32, in the Tower Bar in Blackpool. He was with his work pals and his brother called him 'Wingnut'.

"We later met in Brannigans bar at 10.30pm on Saturday night (November 3), and arranged to meet the following day.

"I had such a fantastic weekend with him and I really want to see him again.

"I am sorry I can't give you more details but I am sure that if you mention the above details - especially 'Wingnut' - someone who was with him will read it and contact you. I have a phone number for him to ring but don't print it 'cos anyone could contact me.

"I would be very grateful if you would give Paul my number if he rings you.

"To make sure he is the right person ask him what I was wearing that Saturday night when he first saw me in the Tower Bar.

"If he gets it correct then I know he is Mr Right."

- Julie, 25, from Bootle, Liverpool.

When I rang her she was bubbling over with great expectations.

"Have you found him? Do you know where he is?" she asked excitedly.

Give me a chance, Julie, love, I'm playing Cupid not winged Mercury.

"I can't get him out of my mind. I'd just love to see him again," she warbled.

So Paul, ring me on 653051 Ext 335 and I'll put you in touch with Julie.

Gotta go, I can't hold this golden bow and arrow any longer, me arms are beginning to hurt.

WHAT does this remind you of closer to home?

William Dixon Smith of Acomb, York writes to me: "While abroad recently, he means Buckinghamshire I caught sight of the enclosed news item in a local paper.

"I have a fellow feeling for the absent-minded who are accused of wilfulness. Years ago, when pedestrianisation was first introduced, I inadvertently drove down a designated foot-street, and was promptly stopped by a constable (policemen were not then the rarity they have since become). As I was driving a red sports car, I knew I was doomed, whatever the charge. I was fined £12, but at least the magistrates did not insist on trashing the innocent car."

THE Christmas lights were switched on in Parliament Street last Thursday as winter wrapped its darkling coat around York. I blinked and thought: how come all the gates around York have some festive flicker to herald the imminent yuletide but not Walmgate?

Couldn't those miserable burghers on the city council deck out some of the pine and cherry trees down near Walmgate Bar with lights?

Rise up Walmgate!

Pull yer finger out City of York Council, put the plug in and... let there be lights!

THIS place had a PAYE audit recently from some nice people from the Inland Revenue in Bristol who must have fancied a few days in our majestic metropolis.

Our resident equivalent of Ebenezer Scrooge, the head puller of the purse-strings was, he says, "understandably a little anxious given some of the expenses you journalists try to put through..."

He met the team of four from the Inland Revenue SS division in our reception area at about 2.30pm and checked their nametags as he shook hands with them.

He counted all his fingers after greeting Phil, Maureen, Alison and Anthony and made sure he still had his wedding ring.

Then he had to fight back a huge guffaw as he noticed Anthony's name badge.

His surname was Hole and he brought smiles to the otherwise frowning faces of the cash department as he strode about the office with his badge which read, in capitals: A HOLE.

Obviously, his parents have a great sense of humour.

I hope Anthony doesn't give our Ebenezer and his squad of apprentice Scrooges the bum's rush next time he pops up from Bristol. Now, about my expenses, Ebby-baby...

Defining moment

Enjoying life is not an exclusive preserve of young people. It is far better to be out with beautiful girls than be an old fart in the pub talking about what you were like in the Sixties - Rolling Stone Mick Jagger