MOVE over Chris Tarrant. York invented a millionaire game long before you had an audience to ask.

Precisely when the William Sessions printworks produced its Millionaire board game is still a mystery. But thanks to Denis and Sheila Hutchinson, the Diary has now seen one close up.

Retired British Rail worker Mr Hutchinson called after we had spotted an edition of the vintage game up for grabs on internet auction site ebay and appealed for more information.

They bought the game second hand to play when their children Jonathan and Kathryn were little.

Although it's been a few years since Millionaire saw any action at their home off Stockton Lane, York, the game is in excellent nick with all the counters and cards as good as new.

It bears more than a passing resemblance to Monopoly. The object, as you might expect, is to be the first player to earn a million.

Up to eight can play. Each of the character counters comes with a different amount of cash: Silverspoon gets a dowry of £100,000 while Self Made has nothing, but enjoys five free goes. There's no chance to phone a friend or go fifty-fifty, however.

AS you go round the board you can choose to earn wages, a salary or fees. Some of the squares on the board suggest the age of the game: "Become MP: Salary £600" says one. "Get married, pay £500" says another. You can even buy a house for 500 quid.

Mrs Hutchinson, a retired teacher, said the family always enjoyed Millionaire. "Now it's out we might have another go," she said. One for their three grandchildren to play in the future (and far more sociable than Grand Theft Auto on the Playstation).

According to the instruction leaflet, the Ebor Press division of William Sessions also brought out other games: Table Football, Noises In The Dark, and World Weddings. Whatever happened to them?

AS England squared the Test series in India today, the Diary was delighted to relive the glories of last summer's Ashes triumph by reading Gideon Haigh's book on the series. And an excellent unbiased read it is, even if he is an Aussie.

But do I detect a little bit of wishful thinking in the Edgbaston Test chapter heading: "Australia won by 2 runs"?

Er, wrong country, mate.

Updated: 09:53 Wednesday, March 22, 2006