IS this a political U-turn we see before us?

"Lib Dems have condemned the plans that will see the borough's weekly rubbish collection dropped in favour of a fortnightly collection," we read on an internet site.

"The plans suggest the fortnightly collection of regular household waste alternating with a fortnightly collection of recycled and green waste will be introduced in October of this year.

"Many people have already expressed concerns that a fortnightly collection could have serious health implications especially over the hot summer months."

True, many furious York residents have said just that. But they should not celebrate yet - this press release refers to Bedford council. While Lib Dems in York are championing plans to cut household rubbish collections by half and introduce a garden waste collection, Lib Dems in Bedford opposed the same idea.

In the release, dating from January last year, there is even a terrific quote from the Lib Dems' environment spokesperson down there, Christine McHugh: "Changing to a fortnightly collection of wheelie bins is a huge mistake. This is a most basic service residents expect and they will be outraged that the mayor has decided to bring this in without debate.

"Increasing recycling should not be at the expense of key services."

Perhaps we should get Christine to debate the idea with York's green Lib Dem Andrew Waller.

AS Evening Press correspondents continue to mull over metric's efficiencies and deficiencies, we decided to look back at how the paper had covered the changeover from imperial in the Seventies.

In general our coverage was as, ahem, measured as you might expect. The issue was explained in detail and various views sought and offered, exactly as would happen today.

But there was one illustration that has dated. It was a Think Metric poster, featuring a glamour girl in a bikini, with her measurements given in old money on the right (36-24-26) and in the new system on the left (914mm-610mm-914mm).

What would our modern Ms York think?

A YORK pest control company was called in to deal with a wasps' nest at an office in the city the other day, the Diary is told. The insects had been stinging the staff for fun, like they do, and rolled-up copies of the in-house newsletter had been deployed to limited effect.

As soon as the pest man had finished his work a bolshie member of staff demanded to know what he planned to do with the wasps. "I hope you're going to find a new home for them," he said.

When the exterminator revealed his deadly precise plans for the bugs, the employee told him: "You're cruel and heartless - why don't you get a proper job?"

Surprised as we are to learn of public demand for a Home For Displaced Wasps, we have heard that an old school in Clifton is going begging...

EVENING Press photographer and wine expert Mike Tipping is on to the Diary about his pet hates from TV news bulletins.

"Clearly I am getting thoroughly annoyed by the constant use of the word clearly in every news report I hear," he fumes. "Clearly it has also spread to officials talking at press conferences too. Often the word clearly is used when the subject being discussed is anything but clear.

"Clearly it should be stopped now, basically."

Do any other words and phrases grate with you? Let us know.

Updated: 09:33 Wednesday, August 31, 2005