MORE political upheaval: the Diary learns that the proposed YIP-YAP-LOO pact is off.

While the York Integrity Party is happy to join forces with the York Apathy Party, the suggestion that they both merge with the Official Monster Raving Loony Party has been ruled out by YIP leader, Pope Milladdio I.

"Whilst, as spiritual leader of YIP, and would-be Lord Mayor, I have no objection to a joining of forces with YAP in the hope that together we might rid York of its political chipmunks and lunatic rockers, I would stress that an amalgamation with the Loony Party is a non-starter," he tells the Diary.

Milladdio is still sore that his agent Sir John The Badist (these are all real people, by the way) was sacked as Hon Sec of the York Loonies. Afterwards the YIP leader "resigned by accident", before establishing the Integrity Party.

"Meanwhile," continues Milladdio (also known as artist Andy Hinkles), "I would like to put to bed any rumours that suggest YIP is dormant.

"On the contrary, we have been following the Evening Press reports on the rising level of water, and have been recycling Chippy Chipmunk's rubbish to build a huge Parliamentary Ark."

Just like Noah's, this will house two of every species, leaving "room for one Elvis impersonator on board: Enid Butler, from Whitby".

YORK and New York. Easily confused. One is a small cathedral town in the north of England, the other a sprawling metropolis on the east coast of America.

Some months ago Evening Press sports journalist Claire Hughes spotted a Chinese dress perfect for evening wear on a TV travel programme. She tracked down the blue, ankle-length number on a London-based website, ordered it at once and eagerly awaited its arrival.

Then, nothing.

"I sent it Special Delivery on Tuesday," said the slightly shocked and offended voice on the other end of the phone at the fashion boutique. "It should have been there yesterday."

Ten minutes later, Claire's phone rang again. "You're never going to believe this," the voice said. "But your dress has been sent to New York."

Eventually it was rerouted and arrived at her home in old York (not, however, in time for the function). The frock's globetrotting adventure was sparked when Claire's address was entered onto an international delivery slip by mistake.

"Evidently the North/South divide is worse than we thought," notes Claire, "if Post Office workers in London think that York, North Yorkshire, is in a foreign country."

RADIO York's Elly Fiorentini was excited to be part of the team of radio presenters from BBC local radio who won Test The Nation on BBC1 last Saturday night.

What a thrill - live national television under the stern gaze of Anne Robinson. But never mind Test The Nation, it's a shame the producers didn't try testing Elly's handset before the show.

"It was a great experience," says Elly, "but imagine my dismay when I was told afterwards that I couldn't be given an accurate score because there had been a problem with my handset."

Elly says it was just as well she was trying to add up her own score. "I think I got 53 out of 70. And yes I was aware there was a problem with my handset - but what was a girl to do on national live television? I don't think Annie would have been happy if I'd jumped up and down saying this isn't working properly."

Updated: 09:02 Tuesday, October 11, 2005