IT'S time to take this Terry's business to the top. Or at least the top but one.

Scouring the cuttings the other day, the Diary came across the following observation, in an Evening Press festive feature from 1997.

"What sweets and chocolates will the Royal Family be nibbling between meals this Christmas? The Duke of York hates liqueur chocolates as he is practically teetotal; his favourites are walnut whips.

"The Queen Mother adores rum truffles and Prince Charles has a great weakness for chocolate oranges."

Seizing on this revelation, we passed directly to Woolworth's on Spurriergate and bought a Terry's Chocolate Orange for Prince Charles (we were going to get three, one each for Princes William and Harry, but they're £2.19 each. We're not made of money you know).

The confectionery is now winging its way (Post Office permitting) to Clarence House, Prince Charles's official household, accompanied by this letter:

"Sir,

"Please find enclosed a Terry's Chocolate Orange, which I am led to believe is a particular favourite of yours.

"It was made at the Terry's factory in York, where Chocolate Oranges were invented more than 70 years ago.

"Next year, however, the York factory is to close, with the loss of 316 jobs. Parent company Kraft Foods, based in Illinois, USA, is moving production to various plants in Europe.

"This is a terrible blow to York. My newspaper is running a Save Terry's campaign, to persuade the bosses at Kraft to reconsider. Thousands of people in York and from around the world have signed our petition.

"Any support you would feel able to offer us would be a terrific boost to the campaign. I hope you enjoy the Terry's Chocolate Orange, made by York workers."

YOU wouldn't know it, mind: the Dark Chocolate Orange sent to Prince Charles bears no reference to York. "Made in the UK by Kraft Foods, UK", the box states, with a correspondence address in Cheltenham. For no apparent reason, there is also a Kraft Foods address in Victoria, Australia.

DID you know that the Terry's Chocolate Orange was not the first tree fruit comestible dreamed up at the factory?

Frank and Noel Terry became joint managing directors in 1923, and three years later launched the Chocolate Apple - 20 segments of chocolate flavoured with apple. The Chocolate Orange followed nine years later. After the war, it sales started outstripping the apple, which was binned for good in 1954,

PROOF that Prince Charles is all for orange-flavoured chocolate is there in his Duchy Originals organic produce. Part of the range includes Chocolate Orange biscuits, made by a Scottish shortbread firm.

TO complete the Diary's chocolate special, we are fascinated by Nestl Rowntree's idea for low-carbohydrate KitKats and Rolos, suitable for the Atkins Diet.

We expect a cut of the profits, because the Diary first proposed the "KitKatkins Diet" way back in January. However, the low-carb products seem a little pricey: £1.49 for a pack of Rolos? But you can use the current Rowntree's range as part of a calorie controlled diet and save money. Here are our tips:

Before eating, rinse your KitKat thoroughly under the hot tap.

Forget chocolate. Just lick lemon KitKat flavoured bus tickets.

When at the supermarket confectionery counter, tap your face and hum Happy Birthday

Boycott all chocolate as part of your protest at the Terry's closure.

Updated: 09:40 Tuesday, May 25, 2004