THE way things are going, Marjorie Foster should be a millionaire by this time next week.

Fate has been playing friendly tricks on her ever since she popped over to see her friend in Hull Road, York.

While there, Mrs Foster volunteered to help clear out her friend's cupboard. The first thing she pulled out was a yellowing newspaper.

"I picked it up. I just looked at the date at the top. It was the same as the day I was born," she revealed.

"I couldn't believe it. I think it's unique. My mum was in labour when this paper was being printed.

"It must be a million-to-one shot."

The York Herald was dated December 23, 1930. But it didn't carry the big news - Mrs Foster's arrival at 11am that morning.

Her appearance ten minutes after her brother came as a shock to her mother, who had no idea she was having twins.

"She cried for two days. She already had three children and then she had twins." That didn't stop her mother having two more children, however.

As if the date was not spooky enough, Mrs Foster's birthday copy of the Herald also includes a report about the joys of Dunnington - the village which has been home for 24 years.

"It's a historical piece about the old times and how marvellous it is and how friendly the people are at that time. It still is. It's like one big happy family."

The pre-Christmas edition includes a big picture of the Minster, said Mrs Foster, who has been reading its surviving sister paper, the Evening Press, from the moment she moved to York 54 years ago.

That, however, is not the end of the coincidences. Since rediscovering the Herald, she has had two £10 wins on the lottery - with numbers based on her birthday.

So we reckon the jackpot can't be far behind...

SPEAKING as the chairman of the all-party parliamentary beer group - "it's a tough job, but someone has to do it" - John Grogan has raised concerns about the new licensing laws which take effect on Thursday.

The Selby MP is worried that pubs which open all hours might find themselves short of accredited doorstaff.

There is some good news, however. They're sorted in Westminster. "Even though we will probably not need door supervisors at the all-party beer group's Christmas party, parties up and down the land will need them," Mr Grogan told the House of Commons.

To which the Diary only has one question. Party - where's our invite, John?

Updated: 11:05 Monday, November 21, 2005