Authorities in Barcelona, fed up with tourists wandering the streets in their swimming costumes, are preparing a massive campaign to convince them to put on clothes when they leave the beach.

"We want to make people understand that it's an attitude that we don't like, that it's not banned or punishable but that it's something we don't think is civil," a spokeswoman for the city hall said yesterday.

Municipal authorities in the seaside Spanish city have already printed posters showing a couple in swimming costumes with a red line across it, along with another couple dressed normally but without the red line.

"In the coming weeks we are going to put up the posters in the metro, buses and in all public areas," the spokeswoman said. (AFP)

Historic service at Bradford Cathedral

History will be made next week when Bradford Cathedral hosts its first Roman Catholic service in more than 450 years, in a bid to highlight the importance of friendship and community.

The Vespers service will be held on May 25, led by Father John Newman from St Joseph's Roman Catholic Church in Bradford, along with music sung by the Bradford Roman Catholic Boys' Choir.

The service aims to break down barriers between religious denominations in the city, and create opportunities to get involved in music events.

The Dean of Bradford the Very Reverend Dr David Ison, said: "The service will create a little bit of history as no Roman Catholic worship has taken place here since the Reformation." (PA)

Carrying any porn?

Visitors to Australia now have another question to answer in addition to declaring whether they are carrying any firearms, weapons or illicit drugs. Are they bringing in any pornography?

The additional query was introduced in September 2009, Customs said yesterday, adding that it was designed to pick up prohibited items such as child pornography at the border. But the Australian Sex Party described it as a "monstrous invasion of people's privacy" which would leave the laptops and mobile phones of anyone entering the country open to scrutiny. (AFP)

Long overdue library book

New York's oldest library can finally fill a gap left on its shelves two centuries ago when George Washington borrowed a book and failed to bring it back.

The first US President took The Law of Nations by Emer de Vattel from the New York Society Library on October 5, 1789 and, like many a less illustrious borrower, didn't remember to return it, the library said.

"The book was not returned, nor any overdue book fine paid," the library statement said. "This was a well-kept secret at the library for years."

The book was replaced at a ceremony last Wednesday. (AFP)

Spot the rodent

President Barack Obama was upstaged by a rodent as he spoke on Wall Street legislation.

Mr Obama had just begun a Rose Garden statement lauding the end of a US Senate filibuster on his financial overhaul when a rodent dashed out of the bushes to his right, just outside the Oval Office. As photographers snapped away in the sun-drenched garden, the creature scurried straight past the grey podium with the presidential seal and made a bee-line for another set of bushes to Mr Obama's left.

Opinion was divided on the identity of the rodent.

"I would partially rule out rat," said Russell Link, a wildlife biologist who works for the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife. "That's due to the lack of a tail that is typically equal to body length." (PA)

Floral wreath for Big Brother

A brightly-coloured floral wreath was unveiled yesterday as the final Big Brother eye logo.

The tribute, made up of hundreds of flowers, will help to lay the long-running Channel 4 reality show to rest.

Millions of viewers have tuned in each summer to watch the antics of ordinary people since the first series in 2000, when Craig Phillips triumphed.

But interest in the show, which brought the likes of Jade Goody to the attention of the nation, has waned since the height of its popularity, and last August it was announced that the programme was being axed.

David Williams, commissioning editor for Big Brother at Channel 4, promised the series will go out with a bang. (PA)