A FORMER plumber, carer and salesman will entertain a country pub full of people tonight with his 'fawlty' waiting skills. Diners at the New Inn, Cropton, will be treated to both a three-course meal and guaranteed entertainment as the Fawlty Towers crew swing into village.

Harrogate-based Manuel Michael Green heads Fawlty Productions, the providers of the entertainment at the rural boozer.

A veteran of 30 or so such performances, Michael, 37, is guaranteeing a laugh a minute for the diners at the pub/brewery.

Home of award-winning and excellent brews such as Two Pints and Scoresby Stout, the pub will offer punters everything they could want on the evening - good food, great beer, and hilarious entertainment.

From the moment they arrive at the pub, near Pickering, punters will be greeted by the slapstick antics of Basil and Manuel. Much of the comedy is improvised, giving willing punters a chance to join in the fun, and those less willing a chance to simply sit back and watch.

The restaurant at the pub is open as usual, with the fun concentrated on the £25-a-head guests.

u THE new owners of a York city centre pub have assured Bar Talk that they will not change its unique character.

As recently reported in Business Press, embryonic pub group Mowbray Leisure Ltd is taking up the lease of The Bay Horse, Gillygate, from current landladies Shirley Oxley and Carol Atkinson. The building is still owned by Punch Taverns.

It is York's gay and lesbian boozer, and some regulars feared that this might change under new management.

Adrian Wilkinson, former gaffer at the Spread Eagle in Walmgate, and Lottery winner Ken Southwell are the men behind Mowbray. Adrian today sent a message directly to Bay Horse regulars: stay, and help us make the pub even livelier.

"It's the only gay public house in York. We want to keep it that way," Adrian said.

"We are looking around for further entertainment, and we also want people in the pub to join in with the entertainment."

Adrian, who readily admits that this is unchartered territory as far as he is concerned, has been mightily impressed by the atmosphere of the place.

He watched the cabaret recently, starring some exuberant drag acts, and says he has not laughed so much in a long time.

Adrian envisages that a gay couple will take over the running of the pub. He also wants to set up a committee of regulars that will come up with new ideas for the Bay Horse.

Meanwhile, good luck to Shirley and Carol, returning to their native Blackpool. They have made York a livelier place.

u THOUSANDS of firework fans are will descend upon the village of Hirst Courtney for an explosive night of entertainment.

Staff at the Royal Oak have begun collecting up the wood for next week's extravaganza which will see their garden transformed into an enormous bonfire.

More than 3,500 people are expected to attend the 16th such event, along with £2000 worth of fireworks, 3,000 plastic glasses, the police and St John Ambulance.

"It takes a lot of organising and a lot of hard work," said Dave Whitley from the pub.

"It should be a cracking night. It is expected of us now and we are looking forward to a big crowd - whatever the weather."

Bonfire food, such as pork pies and peas, will also be available.

There is also parkin available - apparently for up to 800 cars.

u THE Fibbers group, like top dog Tim Hornsby's waistline, has expanded again.

Its latest Harrogate addition is Raison D'etre - once the town's original caf and wine bar but allowed to fall from grace by a big, bad brewery.

After a suitable period of closure, it is re-opening under the tutelage of the effervescent Simon Colgan who will be overseeing Raison D'Etre as well as the very funky Blues Bar.

Raison will be serving food all day until 7pm, from a plain-and-simple menu similar to that at Fibbers bar in Stonebow, York.