WE have a dilemma here at D&S Towers. Decisions have to be made. Richmond election candidate John Blackie has brought a potential story to our attention. At first glance, it would make quite an interesting piece and no doubt a good number of readers would find it informative. It’s not information you can find by simply putting someone’s name into Google after all. What on earth do we do?

For years, people – Conservatives mainly – have said, sorry bleated like lambs who have lost their mothers, that we give the Hardraw Hurricane too much publicity. And now it’s election time and we’re on the brink of publishing an informative and interesting story which includes his name. It’s the postman I feel sorry for.

Wait a minute, I have a brilliant idea. I will ring up other candidates hoping to overturn the 23,000 Tory majority and ask them what informative and interesting things they have been up to.

Hang on a second, several have sent press releases this week. Saves me a job. Let’s see what they’ve been doing. This is going to be the most interesting and informative edition of the D&S ever.

First, we have Labour candidate Mike Hill. He has lots to say on HS2 which is going to stop at Leeds, or not get built at all. Any takers? What about Ukip’s Matthew Cooke. He has been to a pub in Great Broughton. Is he saving the pub from imminent closure? No, he’s having a drink. Splendid.

Here’s one from the Green Party’s Leslie Rowe. This looks more like it. He attended Richmondshire area committee to protest at the proposal to increase the cost of home to school transport. Good for him. So far so good.

But what’s this? A concluding comment praising the efforts of Mr Blackie? Give me strength, does that mean I have to start again?

Apparently, Top Gear is going to return for a one-off special which features the presenters having to make a late-night journey across North Yorkshire to take an injured member of staff to the Friarage.

It was a newsline that was overlooked by the majority of the national newspapers, but the revelation that the A&E unit at the Northallerton hospital was still open was the real shocker of the whole sorry episode.