METRO Wednesday, November 25, 2009 D METRODigest A COUPLE in England have been ordered to remove balloons from outside their shop over health and safety fears. Diane and Derek Betts were warned the decorations could break free and attract children into the road, or distract drivers and cause an accident. I never in a million years thought that putting some balloons up could lead to the council threatening me, said 45-year-old Mr Betts, who runs Bespoke Home & Flooring in Solihull, West Midlands, with his wife. Its officialdom gone mad, he added. BOOKMAKERS are taking bets on whether Ryan Tubridy will revive Gay Byrnes traditional Christmas jumper when he presents his first ever Late Late Toy Show this weekend. Tubridy is 11/10 with Paddy Power to go the old Gay way. They also offer 4/1 that Tubridy will break a toy, 16/1 to make a child cry, 100/1 to say Santa doesnt exist, and 250/1 to swear at a child. A 1 accumulator on Tubridy smashing a toy and screaming theres no such thing as Santa, presumably making every child in the studio cry, could earn you 2million. Don he now our Gay apparel? OBRIENS Off-Licences has been found to be in breach of the MEAS Code of responsible marketing of alcohol. The industry body ruled a recent advertisement the company took out in a national newspaper could encourage illegal, irresponsible or immoderate consumption, such as binge-drinking, drunkenness or drink-driving. The ad publicised a buy-one-get-one-free offer on five-litre kegs of Heineken. The panel upheld a complaint made by a member of the public, noting that kegs are popular for use at parties and, once opened, the alcohol needed to be consumed quickly. It concluded the promotion represented an unintentional breach of the MEAS code. OBriens broke responsible ad code THE annual accounts for the Dublin Docklands Development Authority (DDDA) for 2008 show a loss of 27million, Minister for the Environment John Gormley told the Dil yesterday. He said the collapse in the financial and property markets would have serious consequences for its financial standing. Mr Gormley said the Authority has written down the value of key assets and that the accounts now value the former state-owned Irish Glass Bottle site at 50million, one tenth of its previous estimated value. Fine Gaels Phil Hogan said what happened in the DDDA was one of the biggest ever scandals and asked about the cost to the taxpayer. Docklands accounts show 27m loss METROE-MAIL US AT: mail@metroireland.ie TELL What do you think of whats going on in the news? Or do you have a witty view on the bizarre little things in life? We want to hear from you for Irelands liveliest letters page A gift for Christmas: RTs Youre A Star winner Leanne Moore takes time out from Jack & The Beanstalk to help GLS and Children First put a smile on a childs face this Christmas by donating toys via GLSs 120 Parcel Shop Collection Points. Call 1800-28-30- 29 for details Picture: Maxwells DV1 index.html2.html3.html4.html5.html6.html7.html8.html9.html10.html11.html12.html13.html14.html15.html16.html17.html18.html19.html20.html21.html22.html23.html24.html25.html26.html27.html28.html29.html30.html31.html