THE battle to protect the Yorkshire Pudding is fraught with difficulties.

As we reported earlier this month Anne McIntosh is demanding that the batter-based health food is only allowed to be made in Yorkshire. Europe should give the pud "protected designation of origin status", says the Vale of York MP, as it has done with champagne and feta cheese.

This has prompted a question from Rachel Lacy, York's Ghostfinder General and all-round history buff.

"Can she clarify if this means they will all now have to be a uniform size, as per other EU food rulings, in this case 15 or so inches square? And will onion gravy be compulsory?"

If you want to see an example of traditional Yorkshire puds, Rachel recommends the kitchen ranges at the Castle Museum.

"They have an example of a 'bottle jack', a hanging oven for roasting meat in, with a square tin underneath to catch the beef juices and cook the Yorkshire Pud in," she said. "Anything else isn't the real thing - the small round ones being popovers not Yorkshire Puds."

Popover? Isn't that a Jewish festival?

Rachel is keen to make clear her support for Anne's campaign. "After the ruling against Yorkshire feta, I am all in favour of keeping Yorkshire food Yorkshire, but to satisfy the EU surely we have to get these things right."

She has more observations about famous Yorkshire foods, and we'll serve up another helping soon.

WE were delighted to see that North Yorkshire Police have taken up poetry. A new campaign to warn those who bolt from the taxi when it's time to pay comes complete with this rhyme: "If you are thinking of running or cannot afford/ North Yorkshire Police will treat this as fraud!"

The story, in yesterday's Press, set us thinking of other verses the police poetry division could deploy to deter criminals...

If you're a crook or a felon

Why not book a short spell in

Our £8 million cells?

"Better than Hilton hotels"

Witnessed a crime? Here's what to do

Give us a ring. And if you get through

We'll take a note and deploy all our powers

From the front of a Volvo (within office hours)

Don't chuck that brick

You might meet Tim Madgwick.

Don't drink too much Stella

Or we'll send round our Della

You do not have to say anything.

But it may harm your defence

If you do not mention when questioned something which you later rely on in court

In evidence.

ANY more police-inspired poetry welcomed. Contact details below.

WE noticed on internet auction site ebay recently a "Vintage Millionaire board game" up for grabs. It was said to be made by York's own William Sessions. Does anyone remember playing the game, or have any more information about it?

Updated: 09:04 Thursday, March 16, 2006