YORK'S cats have been catalogued.

The many moggies that can be found perched on rooftops or crawling up office walls are now listed on a new website, www.catsinyork.org.uk

This is the brainchild of Jon Gibbins, 25, and "mad cat person" Jo Barrett, 24, who first came to York in 1999 to take degrees in electronic engineering with music technology at the university.

In the course of their courtship they became fascinated by the cat statuettes dotted around the city - and frustrated by the lack of a guide to them. So they made their own.

"No one knows the origins of all the cat statues, some of which may have been put in place as far back as the early 19th century," their website explains. "Some may have been intended to attract people to a shop or simply to amuse children. Others may be to scare pigeons."

The site goes on to detail the more recent additions, the signature of city architect Tom Adams.

You can even download a "cat hunt" - a walking guide to all York's feline high spots.

Jon and Jo have discovered 22 statuettes, but note that some others may have fallen victim to cat burglars over the years.

Now they'd like your help. "We'd love to hear from people to improve on the information we already have," Jon told the Diary.

"We have holes in the research, so if anyone who stumbles across the site is able to help, then that's great."

His favourite? "The kitten seen scaling the wall of a house on St Andrewgate."

Oh, and their own cat statuette, which they intend to install on their new house - which is in Devon, as they have moved to Jon's hometown.

Fabulous cat facts tomorrow.

IT'S Burns' Night today and the Diary is celebrating in traditional style by donning a kilt, removing our underwear and frying a Mars Bar or two.

Furthermore, to cement the special relationship between York and the Scots, we have culled this item from Knight's History Of York.

"In 1419, the York Council resolved that no Scotsman, whatever his status, was to occupy any position as searcher or constable, or hold any official rank, high or low, in the city.

"Scotsmen were forbidden to enter the Common Hall or any other place in the city where secret counsel or any city business could be overheard.

"They were not to hold meetings, or sit on assizes, or to be empanelled as jurymen, for any cause whatever; but were to be excluded from every office, for evermore."

The people of York apparently "ratified this edict with enthusiasm".

Has anyone told Labour councillor Sandy Fraser, a native of Dundee?

AN environmentally-conscious friend took his recyclables to York's Foss Island tip, only to discover a pile of bibles piled next to the book bank. And this on a Sunday, too.

FINALLY, the Diary is delighted to learn that council leader Steve Galloway is making a selfless personal investment in the fight to ensure Nestl Rowntree stays in York.

"I will be eating as many KitKats as possible," he pledged.

Updated: 08:52 Wednesday, January 25, 2006