MOST major cities have their urban rivalries. Belfast is knows for its painted paving stones and sectarian separation while South African towns are still largely divided on racial grounds.

But now it seems Hereford’s north/south divide is making a name for itself internationally on the world-wide web.

Two groups have started on the social networking website Facebook, both promoting their side of the River Wye.

“I Live on the South Side of Hereford and I am not a Chav” sprang up to voice all that is good in Hunderton, Putson, Newton Farm and beyond before “Hereford North Side Rules” began to speak for those in areas such as Hampton Dene, Moorfields and Aylestone Hill.

The southside group made its case with the comment: “Ok, the north side has the shops, good pubs, all major services and the legendary place that is now called Dusk, but we have the Bullingham estate, the Atlantic fish bar and Asda - what more could you want from a neighbourhood?”

A response came quickly from the northern group who made their case by saying: “Yes we don't have Asda or the drive through McDonalds, and the amazingly wonderful Oval, but we do have many things to make up for this, not to mention the quarry, where many of us have stories that will always be etched in our memory!”

Of course, Hereford’s north/south rivalry has been around for a lot longer than the internet. And is drummed into many a Herefordian in a light-hearted way from a very early age.

Things tend to turn a little more interesting when teenagers understand secondary school rivalries and during the late 1980s and early 1990s the police had to be called when Whitecross and Haywood students took the north/south divide a little too far.

Haywood students often crossed the river to wait outside the north side Baggallay Street school while further battles were waged in the middle ground that was the Bishop’s Meadows.

But thankfully violence is not a common characteristic of the colourful competition between the city’s north and south.

The Facebook groups give hope to those who want to see the rivalry continue in the right way, adding yet more to Hereford’s very own wonderfully unique personality.