PUNTERS keen to pick winners at Royal Ascot will be able to drop in to a York church beforehand for some divine inspiration.

As part of its "open church" strategy, St Edward the Confessor in Dringhouses is welcoming racegoers during the week-long festival.

Members of the church, located close to Knavesmire on Tadcaster Road, will provide visitors with bacon rolls, scones and hot and cold drinks. Inside St Edward will be festooned with flowers and racing memorabilia from Aintree.

There will also be an area for quiet reflection (perhaps on the best hope for the 2.30). You can even park your car next to the church for £10.

So is the vicar, the Reverend Martin Baldock, a big fan of racing? "Can't stand it," he told the Diary.

"I'm not into racing, I have to say. Talk to me about football, cricket, rugby, tennis - anything on two legs I really like."

But some members of his congregation are keener on the sport of kings. Will they dish out advice with the bacon butties on which nag to back?

"Of course they will. Just don't ask me."

And we should not underestimate the power of prayer in sporting situations., Mr Baldock said. Whoever was calling for help from a higher power at half time during Liverpool's game against AC Milan in the Champions' League final "obviously had a direct hotline".

And his own team, Luton, have had an excellent season, being promoted to the Championship.

AS a decision on the Derwenthorpe "model village" is due next month, it is not surprising that the Osbaldwick great crested newts have got back in touch.

Newton and Ridley put their long silence down to hibernation - and a little lovin'.

"Our marshy field and its pond have provided perfect conditions this spring for increasing our numbers," their Letter from Amphibia explains.

"The only problem has been finding enough space with the frogs becoming ever more big headed after the chart success of the Crazy Frog song."

This has prompted Newton to write some more song lyrics. His satire on York council planning policy should be sung to the tune of Paint It Black by the Rolling Stones:

I see a greenfield and I want it built on fast

No colours any more, I want it Tarmac black

I see people sell their homes and quickly move away

The council ruin York a little every day.

HERE'S a new spin on the school run. As most students left Yearsley Grove Primary School in Huntington on Friday, they were surprised to see a stretch limousine drive through the gates.

Was a boy band about to stage an impromptu gig in the playground? Had headteacher Ann Burn decided to leave for the half-term holiday in style? Neither. The limo had been hired to take a seven-year-old to her birthday party.

MORE on the weird world of Sam Smith's Brewery. Word comes the Diary's way that the cook at the Seahorse pub in Fawcett Street, York, has been stopped from playing the radio to comply with the brewery's ban on all music at its pubs, introduced last year.

Updated: 09:01 Tuesday, May 31, 2005