THE Blue Bicycle has a new... blue bicycle. And no, you're not seeing things. It hasn't shrunk. It just happens to be a lot, lot smaller than the original.

The Fossgate restaurant finally has a new flagship bike, a miniature two-wheeler with stabilisers, courtesy of Cari and Gordon Trousdale, at Alterations Express, along the street in Fossgate, York. The couple, who are regulars at the Blue Bicycle, thought it needed a new bike - even if it was a very, very small one.

As reported in last week's Evening Press, the eaterie's last bike was hijacked and is currently being held hostage in Greece.

The bikenappers asked for a trade to take place, the infamous bike in exchange for the restaurant's head chef, Kenny Noble.

"There's no way we were letting Kenny disappear," said Cari. So now that the restaurant has a new bike, the old one can stay in Greece and Kenny can stay in Fossgate.

But just like Elvis, reports of the old bike's whereabouts have been coming in after its sad demise. So far there have been sightings in Acomb and Heworth.

"We still miss the old bike," said chef Kenny. So if anyone has a blue bike with a basket on the front, full-sized like the old one, the restaurant will gladly swap it for a free lunch for two.

Updated: 12:11 Wednesday, August 14, 2002