YORK is famous for its ghoulish goings-on, but even the spirits and spectres need time to relax.

As Hallowe'en approaches, the Diary hears that a strange, dark figure has been found strumming and screaming around the stores in Acomb.

Apparently, Mr BL Zeebub has taken a particular shine to the range of black and spookily shaped guitars at Acomb Music.

Mr Zeebub, lead guitarist with The Demon Masters, was particularly taken with the range of B.C. Rich, Tanglewood Warlord, the horns on the Gibson SG, and Black electric guitars, as well as the wide range of acoustics for those quieter moments on the tour bus.

Paul Cunniff, owner of Acomb Music and member of FK Music Management, said: "It was a shock when Mr Zeebub came in but, as with all my customers, I was happy to try and meet his needs.

"He allowed me to take a picture of him trying the various instruments which I have displayed in store."


Spouting forth on the buses

Meanwhile, and some may say, on a slightly less ludicrous note, Holgate cycling champion Paul Hepworth has decided to trade in pedal power for a more sedate form of motorised pace.

Since retiring from the rail industry last March, Paul has been a part-time open-top bus guide in York.

His bus tours go right past the Museum Street office where he was last employed before retirement.

On one recent trip week, Paul noticed that the occasional friendly waves from his former colleagues had been replaced by a sign in the office window, claiming that his green credentials had been compromised by travelling on a noisy and polluting motor vehicle.

So Paul has added this to his commentary - traffic permitting.

Meanwhile he hopes that his former colleagues at the York office of Halcrow are working hard to keep his pension fund solvent.