ON the letters page tonight, York city councillor Charles Hall takes Dillon Toyne to task over recycling.

But does Coun Hall know who he is locking horns with?

Dillon is the man once described as "Britain's most established sex journalist".

Born and brought up in York, Dillon (formerly Stephen) Toyne, 39, has long lived in London. But he is a regular visitor to his home city.

On his last trip he was so dismayed by evening car park charges and the state of the suburban streets that he was moved to pen a letter to the Evening Press.

This, we can confidently assert, is not the fruitiest thing he has ever written.

Dillon tells us he was a regular contributor to adult magazines like Boys and Purr covering topics which rarely make our pages, such as the joys of prostate massage.

These days he runs an internet dating service, gayroyal.co.uk. He rarely sees his wife Robyn, a one-time San Francisco stripper who is now a Buddhist in Hawaii.

It is all a long way from Nunthorpe Grammar. But Dillon's unconventional streak was evident even during his time at the school: he was once suspended by headmaster Mr Cushing for coming to school with the letter "A" for anarchy shaved into his skinhead haircut. (He returned to school soon afterwards to collect the prize for gaining top marks in his local history exam).

After moving to London, Dillon's job with Tower Hamlets council was scuppered by a back problem.

So he went to the University of London and studied history. Research into German sexual culture in the 19th and 20th centuries piqued his interest in such matters, and a risqu writing career followed.

Dillon's next project, he tells the Diary, is to start a business hiring out pornographic DVDs via the internet. "Basically because sex sells. Sex makes money," he said honestly.

Although he still enjoys visits to family in York, he is not always comfortable here.

"Walking around the East End of London I don't feel as intimidated as walking around some parts of York."

BUS firm First is under fire for raising its fares in York.

But criticism of the company does not stop at our bar walls.

Thanks to Colin Clarke, of Stamford Bridge, who drew the Diary's attention to a report in a Sheffield newspaper.

"Moves to replace existing bus operators in South Yorkshire will take a big step forward this week," begins the story in Wednesday's edition of The Star.

"This latest development comes as First has suffered increasing criticism over cuts to services and a series of fare rises...

"Councillors have got so fed up with First that at the end of last year they passed a vote of no confidence in the firm."

NOT long now before spook spotter Derek Acorah brings his Ghost Towns Live telly show to York. And he'd like to hear from you.

"Is your house or workplace haunted?

"Do lights mysteriously turn on or off and objects move round the room?" ask the show's organisers.

If you have you ever experienced ghostly experiences, who ya gonna call? The Ghost Towns Live hotline on 020 7793 2281. Or email ghosts@ruggiemedia.com

Updated: 11:13 Friday, January 13, 2006