CHUCKLES and tunes broke out at Hambleton Council's cabinet meeting last week, when council leader Coun June Imeson was unable to switch off her mobile telephone's trendy ring-tone.

An important discussion about the costs of bin lorries was interrupted when the Great Ayton councillor's mobile repeatedly rang.

"It's mine, but nobody calls me", said the normally unflappable Coun Imeson, grappling with the telephone but failing to switch it off.

"It's a nice tune, madam chairman," quipped Director of Financial Services Phil Morton, as the bleeping filled the council chamber.

Spectator understands Top 40 ring-tones are a big hit with teenagers, who choose their favourite pop, rock or dance tune from a vast selection of ring-tones on the market.

But Spectator couldn't quite identify Coun Imeson's choice. It was bright and breezy, but was it the Sugababes, Girls Aloud or the Spice Girls?

Coun Imeson's mobile fell temporarily silent as the discussion moved on to Stokesley's new library. But then it returned.

"I am sorry," said an embarrassed Coun Imeson, who received an OBE in the New Year for her many years' political services.

She and Mr Morton were then were assisted by a councillor, who pressed different buttons to stop the tune. But to no avail.

"There's a window over there," quipped another councillor.

Finally, the 'phone fell silent to the relief of all - not least Coun Imeson.

Postal surprise

A Royal Mail card dropped through a colleague's letter box last week, asking her to pick up and pay £1.67 for an unstamped item awaiting collection at Darlington sorting office.

Her husband duly went to collect it and brought home a recycled envelope containing a guide to energy saving and an energy saving light bulb - courtesy of the borough council.

The free gift was dispatched by the council for the colleague responding to a questionnaire on how her three free trees, given to residents in 2002, were surviving.

It also had a very nice handwritten thank you from the Local Agenda 21 officer, Rachel Wood, who this week was baffled as to how the oversight occurred.

No doubt Ms Wood thought it an example of Sod's Law that such a mistake should be at the expense of a local newspaper journalist.

The colleague told Spectator she was now, more than ever, convinced there is no such thing as a free lunch, trees or lightbulbs. But she didn't want the money back.