IT used to be the People's Dispensary for Sick Animals. But these days everyone prefers initials, so it has been shortened to the PDSA.

Whatever the name, the charity is still doing what it does best: providing free veterinary treatment for the pets of the needy.

But can it now perform miracles?

Next Friday will be a milestone for the PDSA shop in Goodramgate, York: its doors reopen after a makeover.

The excitement is mounting, particularly after a couple of signs appeared in the shop window anticipating the event.

One of these, hand-written in felt tip pen, promised a star guest. But it was the other which caught the Diary's eye.

"Guest appearance of Larry Graytian," it boldly proclaimed.

Could this mean that the effete comedian and former host of BBC1's The Generation Game was coming to York to do the ribbon-snipping?

The popular comedian, with his "shut that door" and "seems like a nice boy" catchphrases would be a huge draw.

Particularly as his career has gone into the doldrums since his death nine years ago.

Then a thought occurs. Perhaps the PDSA's star guest is actually York dad, rugby league nut and TV presenter Harry Gration.

A quick call to the Look North studios confirms it. Harry greets the mix up with a guffaw of laughter.

"I am a very nice boy," he said. "I am really looking forward to it, and I will make sure that door's closed."

THE new Bishop of Knaresborough is settling into his role. The Right Reverend James Bell told guests at a dinner this week that he had moved into Exelby, near Bedale. This is a village with a pub, but no through road - and no church.

"I wonder what the significance is?" mused Bishop Bell.

NOT satisfied with advocating the meal-a-day diet in the Press yesterday (which left us wondering what shape he'd been in if he upgraded to three), Eddie Vee is in touch with the Diary.

The Yorkshire Elvis was inspired by our idea of selling the film rights to the Evening Press letters page to Hollywood. "Why not make York - The Musical with York madrigals taking us through the medieval period, followed by York Opera for the Victorian era through to the 1930s," he writes.

Eddie goes on to suggest the Railway Institute Brass Band could recreate the Swinging Forties and modestly advocates his own vocal talents to epitomise the Fifties.

"Graham Metcalf and Steve Cassidy play us from the Sixties to the Seventies (with Cyanide re-enacting the punk era)," he adds.

"The Mood - York's first big chart band -show us through the Eighties, and Shed Seven (via the Indie Cowboys) take us to the present day.

"The show could culminate in a mass Evening Press karaoke session with Charles Hutchinson taking on the Simon Cowell role.

"Just a thought."

EVENING Press colleague and official York Ghostfinder General Rachel Lacy comes up with more hairdressing salons with punning titles.

"I remember the one in Parliament Street called 'Croppers: Hair We Are'," she tells the Diary.

"And it's a shame nobody thought to include Hair Flicks (short black hair side-parted and small moustaches a speciality?)"

Updated: 09:15 Friday, April 02, 2004