xtra Diary: Boris Johnson's hopes for a brighter year ahead

THE West End kicked off 2010 with a noisy blast of colour and pyrotechnics. Large crowds massed along the banks of the River Thames and in Trafalgar Square for the annual bash, which was slightly scaled down from last year because of the recession. Mayor of London Boris Johnson said: “I know that for many people in London 2009 has been a very tough year, but I don’t think I am deluding myself to suggest there are signs of optimism everywhere.” He added: “We see the housing market ­picking up, we’ve got the theatre taking a record number of visitors and Oxford Street sold £200million worth of goods in one day – a world record.”

Exactly how many species have they got? Zoo knows! ONE, two, three, paw...spare a thought for the zookeepers at London Zoo this week as they embark on their annual animal headcount. The stock-take gives a whole new meaning to the phrase “when the cat’s away”, although, given the security, Diary reckons there won’t be any shock surprises. From gorillas to tigers, squirrel monkeys to meercats, there are enough species at the zoo in Regent’s Park to fill Noah’s ark and a few tug-boats – more than 14,500 animals in fact. Among the new inhabitants are the first lion cubs for more than a decade, a new Komodo dragon and a critically endangered baby mangabey monkey. The figure is not yet in, but keepers believe the zoo is fuller than ever, although they will have to knock on a few shells and peer into some spider traps to make sure everyone is alive and biting.

We could get ourselves into some deep trouble USUALLY it’s press officers who accuse journalists of scare­mongering, but judging by the apocalyptic images sent alongside a release about steps being taken to combat climate change, the stereotype is under threat. This 1928 photograph of Victoria Embankment looks like something from the 2004 global warming film The Day After Tomorrow. It was strewn with bricks and floodwater after the Thames rose over the walls. To be fair, it’s all in a good cause, and Diary is not one of the flat earth brigade, so fair play press office. Residents, businesses and developers are being invited to submit their responses to Westminster Council’s proposals to limit the impact of climate change by encouraging more buildings to boast features such as green roofs, water tanks and grassy areas to allow water to drain. The draft Strategic Flood Risk Assessment is open for public consultation until January 29. In case reassurance is needed, when defences were breached back in ’28, there was no Thames Barrier or Embankment wall.