Host refutes charge of

racist' sign A lonely licensee was accused of racism after she advertised to meet a "single white male" on a sign outside her pub. Mother-of-three Diane Prestidge, 47, was devastated after her husband left her and two close friends died within a few weeks. So in a bid to cheer herself up, she scribbled on a blackboard: "Wanted: part-time single white male 40 to 50", and left it outside her pub, the Nelson in Drybrook, Gloucestershire. The sign continued: "Must like cats. Must have a wicked sense of humour to cheer up overworked, underpaid, flu-ravaged, pissed-off pub landlady. Previous applicants and ex-husbands need not apply." But three women from Gloucestershire Race Equality Council (GlosRec) turned up at the pub and ordered her to take the message away, claiming that someone had complained that the reference to "single white male" was racist. Enraged, Prestidge refused. She said the line was a jokey reference to the 1992 film Single White Female, starring Bridget Fonda. "It's not racist. Everyone who knows me knows I am not a racist. "Customers and passers-by have taken the sign for the joke it was supposed to be. If [authorities] take it any further I will defend it." GlosRec spokesman James Oaten said the group is obligedto investigate all complaints of racism. "I cannot say at this stage if we will be taking further action," he added.