GEORDIE jokers Ant and Dec may be set to learn at first hand one of the rules of live television - never work with animals or children. Or mascots.

The comic duo have invited York City's mascot Yorkie the Lion and York Wasps' counterpart Wobby, along with a host of other football and rugby club mascots, onto their early evening show "Slap Bang!" to be screened tonight.

And given the reputation of the giant furry creatures, anything could happen when the cameras start to roll. Indeed, Ant and Dec's only saving grace could be the fact it is the last in the series of the hit programme.

Speaking exclusively to the Evening Press, Yorkie - already something of a celebrity - said he wasn't too sure what the mascots' role would be, but believed their job was to come on in the final minutes of the show as would-be guests at the end-of-series party.

"They've invited a load of us down. They probably saw the racing at Huntingdon (the Mascot Grand National) and thought it would be good to get us on the show," said the oversized lion, who has already starred on the small screen in adverts for ITV's football coverage. "There's a rehearsal at about 3pm and then the show goes out live (starting at 5.35pm), which is a bit worrying as anything could happen."

Yorkie also had a word of warning for the Geordie duo.

"We might have something up our sleeves for Messrs Ant and Dec, but I don't know what the plan is as yet," he said.

"It's going to be excellent. All these outings turn into a bit of a 'sesh' and they're paying all our expenses which is always a bonus. The only problem is I will miss the races at York!"

Updated: 11:23 Saturday, June 16, 2001