AN unexpected by-product of the excitement surrounding the newly-released Charlie And The Chocolate Factory film is a rush in sales of chocolate fountains.

Readers will know that during filming speculation was rife that quirky star Johnny Depp would visit our Nestle Rowntree factory to learn more about the chocolatiers' art.

The Diary can now reveal that film-maker Tim Burton also consulted employees on flavour combinations and taste sensations.

Just months ago he thanked them with a secret private screening for top managers before the film went on general release.

Now the company which made the chocolate fountains that feature in the opening scenes of the film, which inspired Wonka to make his own chocolate river, said the product is flying off the shelves.

Celebrity endorsements include Graham Norton, Jonathan Ross and Brooklyn Beckham - who dipped into that rich Belgian chocolate at the premier after show party.

But will all those Nestle Wonka bars, available in Whipple-Scrumptious Fudgemallow Delight, Nutty Crunch Surprise (the surprise is it does not contain nuts) and Triple Dazzle Caramel, go the same way?

CHEESE is past its sell by date. Snap happy Yorkers are now more likely to say "sausages" when they put on a smile for the camera.

A survey from teeth experts Vitint Safe&White has finally revealed the answer to the question that's always been on everybody's lips - what makes us flash our gnashers for the camera?

Once a firm favourite, apparently just one in five of us now say cheese when we are having our photograph taken, putting if just third in the top ten.

Sausages were higher up the food chain in second position, while a simple "smile please" topped the charts when it comes to picture posing.

Hollering a profanity was popular with one in ten, and it's probably no surprise to learn that men are twice as likely as women to smile when they say something rude.

SPOTTED zooming down Parliament Street: an elderly man complete with flat cap and blanket in an electric wheelchair.

Nothing so unusual about that you say, but this music-lover had a hi-fi connected to the battery and two speakers set up on either side of his head rest.

The theme tune to a ride downtown? That blasted Crazy Frog Axel F hit single. A ding ding dididing indeed.

Updated: 10:35 Friday, August 05, 2005