THE hazards facing the modern politician are various. Canvassing near Bedale, Greg Stone was the victim of a snap poll when a dog sank its teeth into the Liberal Democrat's leg.

And Labour's Selby man John Grogan, having already sent an egg-stained suit to the dry cleaners, was attacked by a flour-wielding constituent. He now has nearly enough ingredients for a Yorkshire pudding, which is what he must have felt like at the time. Both candidates have responded with admirable humour and are back on the campaign trail. Keeping an eye out for excitable constituents - and their dogs - of course.

Updated: 10:51 Friday, May 25, 2001