YORK has plenty of history books and one or two pub guides. Now the city has a new historic pub guide. Historic Pubs In And Around York is an updated and expanded version of a book first published five years ago. It is, unfortunately, a slim volume because so much damage has been done to York's pubs down the years.

As the introduction says, "no pub interior, it seems, not even an irreplaceable national gem, is safe from the city whizz-kids with their 'branded concepts'."

Those few originals that remain are gems that deserve cherishing. Among the city pubs that merit inclusion in the guide are the Wellington, Alma Terrace ("classic back-street local"); the Lighthorseman, Fulford Road ("stylish and impressive bar"); and the Fox, Holgate Road ("York's best example of a purpose-built Victorian public house"). Out of town, the New Inn, Selby, the Tankard, Rufforth, and Hales Bar, Harrogate are among those listed.

The book, compiled by the York Pub Conservation Group, an offshoot of the Campaign for Real Ale, was launched in the Minster Inn, Marygate, York - another classic boozer to be featured.

Geoff Henman, of the conservation group, said: "The pubs in the guide are not stagnant museum pieces. They are living, vital places where you can enjoy the surroundings along with a good pint."

Historic Pubs In And Around York costs £1.20 and is available from the pubs mentioned or direct from Ray Balawajder, 69 Newland Park Drive, Hull Road, York YO10 3HR. Cheques for £1.70 (including 50p p&p) should be made to York CAMRA.

YORKSHIRE Day comes but once a year, on August 1 - this Tuesday. But the Ackhorne, St Martin's Lane, York, is making sure the celebrations last all week.

The pub, always a supporter of local breweries, is holding a special tribute to wonderful Yorkshire beer from Tuesday until next weekend. Publicans Jack and Mel Merry have lined up 12 beers from God's Own County, supplied by breweries including York, Black Sheep, Rooster's and Rudgate.

A special beer has been created for the occasion, called MFB. These initials are either a reference to the landlord's barrel-like figure, too rude to print before the watershed; or they stand for "Merry's Fine Beer".

So get down there and toast this special time in beer made the Yorkshire way.

u TWO very different North Yorkshire pubs have made it into the final of a national newspaper's pub of the year competition.

Multi-award winning real alehouse The Maltings has done it again by making it on to The Times' shortlist. And joining the boozer from Tanner's Moat, York, is the Three Hares at Bilborough, famed for its food.

The competition is sponsored by Pimms which, by coincidence, is the most popular drink at The Maltings...

THAT Jolly Farmer is on the pull again. The tug-of-war team at the award-winning pub, at Leavening, near Malton, is hopeful of another victory during the annual village fete.

Such a grip do they have on both rope and tournament that they have won the shield five times in a row.

There is an excellent incentive to beat them: a beery prize. John Smith's is sponsoring the event and the winning team will get a load of the brown stuff.

Meanwhile, the Jolly Farmer's jolly landlord, John Parkinson, has recovered enough from a hernia to begin organising his autumn beer festival.

It takes place from October 25-28, and the theme is England versus the rest of the British Isles.

TICKET sales for tonight's York Fire Station beer festival have gone so well that they have had to get in an extra four beers.

There are now 14 local brews to be tasted and the £6 tickets can be bought on the door of the Clifford Street appliance room - the venue for the event.