HERE she is - Britain's most famous landlady. You'll have instantly recognised Denise Reid, of the Black Horse in Seaton Ross, near Pocklington.

And sandwiched between Denise and husband Dave is actress Melanie Kilburn, who some may know from an obscure television series called Coronation Street.

Melanie, of course, plays Eve, landlady of the Rovers Return.

Earlier this month she celebrated her birthday weekend at the Black Horse, and was the life and soul of the party.

"She was lovely. She was really, really nice," Denise told Bar Talk.

"She was really good fun. On her birthday she went round the whole pub with the cake, and everyone had a piece."

The actress volunteered to show off her skills behind the bar and have her picture taken.

"I would never, ever impose on somebody's privacy and ask them to do something like that," said Denise.

But her real-life pint pulling left something to be desired, as half of it was froth. Her excuse: they serve ready-poured shandy on set.

Melanie lives in London, works in Manchester and her family are in Bradford. She wanted to celebrate her birthday by visiting York, while staying somewhere quiet, and a friend recommended the chalet behind the Black Horse.

It boasts a hot tub and Jacuzzi with room for four. "It's in a conservatory that overlooks fields. At night, you can see all the stars," says Denise.

Melanie and her friends "thought York was wonderful. They were really impressed".

But here's a confession from Denise: "I don't watch Coronation Street. I can't. I'm working.

"I'm a sad person that records Emmerdale."

But when she knew Melanie was coming she did some homework. She said: "I did have a look because, of course, Corro is on just after Emmerdale and I let the tape run on a bit."

The actress, who has also had TV roles in Heartbeat and Brookside, has promised to put the Black Horse's details in the Coronation Street dressing rooms.

Denise was thrilled to meet Melanie, but not fazed. They are used to the jet set at Seaton Ross.

Her son Stuart was the lead singer in pop group Soda, who were once signed to the same management as Shed Seven. So pop bigwigs would regularly call in.

"They all arrived in stretch limos," she said. "One of them rang from the States and said, 'where's the nearest airport to Seaton Ross?'"

Dave and Denise have been in charge of the Black Horse for 15 years in August.

"It's a nice country pub, and you get nice people," Denise said.

"We tend to know everybody. I don't think I would like being in the centre of York.

"You are never going to be a millionaire in a little country pub. But it's a lovely way of life."

- GET yer arrows out, there's a new darts league in town.

Barry Stickney, landlord of The Phoenix, in George Street, York, is the freshly-installed chairman of The York Phoenix Darts League.

So, you're a whizz at darts then, Barry? "No," he confesses with impressive candour.

One of York's darts supremos, John Smith, is behind the league, and nine teams have already been recruited. Among them are the Lord Nelson, Upper Poppleton, the Tap & Spile, Monkgate, and the Golden Slipper, Goodramgate.

The Phoenix already has a ladies team in the John Smith's League, as well as a crack dominoes outfit.

So is Barry confident about his darts team's chances in the new league?

"I wouldn't say that. As long as we have a laugh and a drink, that's what it's all about. We have one rule I asked to be put in: games to be played in a friendly and sociable atmosphere. You don't want any squabbling on a night out."

Updated: 08:46 Saturday, March 30, 2002