BECAUSE it's a dog-eat-dog world in the media, we expected some of our so-called competitors to take a cheap shot at our switch to earlier publishing times.

And over in the Bootham Row offices of BBC Radio Yokel, the publicly-funded hacks and production team didn't disappoint.

First, they ran a story highlighting the change and attributing it to "falling sales". Which, as this newspaper was last year among the top ten performing titles in England, we found ever so slightly irritating.

Then they wheeled out a spokeswoman to tell listeners that local newsagents were up in arms about our plans. It mattered not that she was from Wakefield - well outside our circulation area the last time The Diary checked - has never dealt with us and, consequently, hadn't the foggiest what she was talking about.

But now, the most annoying piece of one-upmanship to date. They've come up with a new jingle proclaiming their news service to be the best in the area. Nothing wrong with that - if it were true - but there's a clear reference to us in there, too. "Read about it tomorrow, or hear it first from us today," the Beeb proudly boasts.

Cheap shot, indeed. But more importantly, how totally incorrect.

The Diary last heard the trailer shortly before 8am yesterday as the breakfast show headed towards its on-the-hour news bulletin.

The lead story was York-born Steve McClaren's imminent appointment as England manager - reported by The Press a full 24 hours earlier and, at the time, dismissed by morning presenter Anna Wallace as "speculation".

As for falling sales, we have experienced quite a boost in our circulation since we changed to The Press and many readers have told us how much they like the new set-up.

We'll keep you posted on that - unless Radio Yokel beats us to it, for once.

WHEN York couple Lee and Linda Maloney ordered a beer at an airport bar in Chicago they felt 40 years younger.

The shocked pair, of Millfield Avenue, who are at the ripe young age of 60 and 61, respectively, were asked to produce their passports to prove they were old enough to drink.

Linda, who took the request as a compliment, said staff were forced to ask for proof of age when serving alcohol in accordance with Ohio State law.

"I was absolutely amazed," said Linda, who was on her way back from a holiday in Florida.

"Maybe they should do it over here to stop under-age drinking."

Updated: 09:50 Friday, May 05, 2006