HEADLINE writing is one of the more pleasurable tasks in the newspaper world, though it’s often quite a skill to get the flavour or nuance of a story right in just a few words.

Punny headlines, in particular, can be a pleasure to read, but only if they are original and creative and not too corny.

That’s why Monday’s Sun headline about Britain being stuck in an icy grip - ‘It ain’t getting snow warmer’ - leaves me . . . erm . . . cold.

It will never be as memorable as ‘Phew! What a scorcher’.

I’d give away my entire collection of Doris Day records to read that headline this summer.

But I digress. What makes a good or bad headline is a very subjective opinion and my view is probably no more or less valid than anyone else’s.

My favourites are the ones that are unintentionally hilarious.

As a journalist, I’m used to trying to get things right under pressure of deadlines and know how easy it is to make errors - so it’s nice to know other professionals can also get it wrong, especially if they genuinely believe they’ve got it right.

Take the following genuine gems from the USA government’s Plain Language website: Hospitals are sued by 7 foot doctors; Kids make nutritious snacks; Red tape holds up new bridges; New study of obesity looks for larger test group; Man struck by lightning faces battery charge.

And here are some more from a friend who regularly emails out round-robin funnies. Again, they’re genuine and from the USA.

Federal agents raid gun shop, find weapons; 17 remain dead in morgue shooting spree; Study shows frequent sex enhances pregnancy chances; Worker suffers leg pain after crane drops 800Ib ball on his head; Hospitals resort to hiring doctors; Homicide victims rarely talk to police; Barber shop singers bring joy to school for deaf; and finally this corker - Miracle cure kills fifth patient.