DOING anything for St George's day? You are now.

The Olde Starre Inne in Stonegate, York, is giving St George the recognition that has eluded him in the past by hosting a day-long celebration of saintly dragon-slaying antics.

On George's big day - next Friday - landlord Stuart Weston and his staff will transform the pub into a hive of traditional English fun and frolics, albeit without the inclusion of Sid James and Barbara Windsor.

Assistant manager Nell Wrightson, from County Durham, explains: "We always do something for St Patrick's Day, and the April 23rd is also my friend's birthday, so we've always had a party for both back where I'm from.

"We've got music on all day with pianist Kieran White playing and the Golden Lion Acoustic competition winner Rob Hughes too."

The pub's menu is being tailored to the theme with classic English dishes taking centre stage; Toad In The Hole, Lancashire Hotpot and fish and chips will all be lovingly prepared while specials planned include the Dragon's Breath Curry and other exotic-sounding dishes.

However, the menu is far from the most exciting thing that the Olde Starre will be offering.

Fancy a spot of exercise to work up an appetite before your Dragon's Tail Soup? Then why not join in the tug-of-war taking place in the alley way of the pub. Yes, a real live tug-of-war; just like the times of old, when merely killing the odd dragon here and there wasn't enough to prove your strength.

As chief organiser, Nell wasn't sure she would be participating in the tug-of-war but was willing to take up other key duties: "I might be the referee that jumps around and makes lots of noise" she said.

In true village-fete style, the pub will be running a raffle with English-themed prizes up for grabs and will be holding a barbecue at night, weather permitting - now that's English.

With face-painting and themed drinks adding to the day's festivities, it certainly seems like the Starre have got everything covered.

Nell was just waiting to hear back from the council regarding her request to have barrel-racing down Stonegate. What next, a jousting competition in the back beer-garden? Oh, already organised is it?

Best get your lance down from the loft.

- Generous landlord Ian Murray is offering Bar Talk readers the opportunity to toast his success for free at his award-winning boozer.

He's throwing a lavish four-day ale extravaganza at The Wheatsheaf at Burn, near Selby, to celebrate winning CAMRA Pub Of The Season for the second time.

Ale aficionados can join him for a free half pint of any of the 12 guest beers he is laying on from Wednesday May 5 when the gong is handed over.

All festival beers will be very reasonably priced at £1.50 and there are 115 single malt whiskies on offer from Ian's collection on the back shelf.

With a hint of his trademark modesty, the jocular landlord describes the secret of his pub's popularity as "it's only a little village pub but it's an oasis in the desert".

He adds: "We are the only pub in our neck of the woods that does decent real ale and lots of it. I've got between 12 and 15 different guest ales on each week."

Ian says the new Selby bypass will bring in extra trade from those who didn't want to cross the toll bridge before.

Perhaps getting a little carried away with the desert analogy, he adds: "It'll give people another track to the pub, another camel run if you like." Right, Ian. Probably best stick to the beer.

Updated: 08:41 Saturday, April 17, 2004