LOOK sharp, young 'uns. Your mum and dad are preparing to fritter away your inheritance seeking thrills and adventure.

Nearly eight out of ten York over-50s say they are planning to spend their way to happiness in later years "rather than live out a dull retirement just so they could leave money in the bank for their kids".

According to a survey for i-to-i, a volunteer travel and training organisation based in Leeds, more than one in three York retired people are ready to move to a smaller house - then splash out the proceeds on (gasp!) fun.

The pipe-and-slippers have been ditched. These go-get-'em grandparents want to travel - and not on sedate cruises. Top of the list are safaris in Africa or South America.

More than a third of the respondents said they had been inspired to venture further afield by their children's and grandchildren's recent trips abroad.

So it's your own fault, kids...

YORK, the cycling city, no longer has a dedicated cycling officer. As the last of 15,000 pedal-pushers left after the weekend's York Cycle Show, the Diary stumbled on this change in policy.

Former cycling officer James Harrison was an appreciated advocate among cycle groups. But after he left, City of York Council had a rethink.

"Following the departure of the previous cycling officer, the transport strategy team has been restructured to enable them to cover a greater range of work," a council spokeswoman told us.

"The team has a great deal of experience on a range of transport issues, including walking and cycling.

"The new structure is designed to strengthen the council's commitment to sustainable transport, including cycling, by enabling more officers to deal more effectively with cycling issues."

A COUPLE of footnotes on that football game. First the incisive comment by a colleague's young daughter as she watched England flail out of Euro 2004 against Portugal. "Basically," she said, "Beckham's playing for the other team." As her mother observed, "Well, we've all wondered sometimes..."

SECONDLY, a joke.

Sven-Goran Eriksson is on Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? and has reached the million pound question.

Chris Tarrant says: "Right Sven, this is for £1 million. And remember, you still have two lifelines left, so please take your time.

"What type of animal lives in a sett? Is it: a) a badger; b) a ferret; c) a mole or d) a cuckoo?"

Sven ponders for a while and says: "No, I'm sorry Chris, I'm not too sure. I'll have to go 50-50."

That leaves him the choice of badger and cuckoo. Sven has a long think, then scratches his head and says: "No, Chris, I'm still not sure, I'm going to have to phone a friend."

He decides to call David Beckham. Chris explains the situation to the England captain, and hands him over to Sven.

"Hello David," he says. "It's Sven here. What type of animal lives in a sett? Is it a badger or a cuckoo?"

"It's a badger, boss," says Becks without hesitation. "You sure, son?" says Sven. "Definitely, boss. One hundred per cent. It's a badger. Definitely."

"Right, Chris," says Sven, "I'll go with David. The answer's a badger."

"Final answer Sven?" says Chris, "That's the correct answer. You've won £1 million!"

Cue wild celebrations.

Next morning at training, Sven calls Beckham. "Son, that was brilliant last night. I thought I might be taking a gamble giving you a call, but you played a blinder.

"But how did you know that a badger lives in a sett?"

"Oh I didn't," replies Beckham. "But everybody knows a cuckoo lives in a clock..."

Updated: 09:29 Monday, June 28, 2004