TWO cooking canons are hoping they prove a success when they show off their skills later this month.

Canon Brian Abell and Canon Leslie Morley are practising after they agreed to appear at the Dales Festival of Food and Drink, in Leyburn, North Yorkshire, over the May Bank Holiday weekend.

Yesterday, at Canon Morley's home in Osmotherley, North Yorkshire, they made a few of their favourite dishes ahead of the event.

Canon Morley is the rural officer for the Diocese of Ripon and Leeds, while Canon Abell is a former rector of Masham, North Yorkshire.

The pair will cook alongside professional chefs to promote the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution (RABI).

RABI was set up to help those in need in the farming community.

Canon Abell, the county chairman of RABI, said: "Canon Morley will be making a display of himself by doing so flambing, while I will be making a humble fish dish, although I might also try a souffl.

"We have a kind of Morecambe and Wise act going on and we do enjoy it. During the display, we also talk about the importance of using local produce."

The festival is from April 30 to May 2. The pair will appear on the first day in the theatre marquee.

Admission is £4, including free parking, entry to all talks and demonstrations and a shuttle bus to the town centre. Under-16s get in free.

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