By gum! You don't get owt for nowt in Yorkshire.

With Yorkshire Day on August 1 fast approaching, non-Yorkshiremen living in and visiting the county may be feeling a bit left out.

But now, for those not born and bred in God's own county, a leading supermarket chain is offering to sell you the title of honorary Yorkshireman and woman for one day.

It is all part of Asda's week of celebrations to mark Yorkshire Day.

Besides offering the honorary titles for £1, the firm, which was founded in Castleford, West Yorks, will also be selling a Yorkshire/English phrase book, Know Yer Yorkshire, for £1.

All money will be going to charity.

For one week from Monday, customers at Asda stores across Yorkshire, will be greeted by staff with traditional Yorkshire phrases - and local lingo will even be used on tannoy announcements.

Shoppers will be encouraged to buy Yorkshire produce such as Taylor's of Harrogate tea and Tetley's bitter. Asda staff will be trained in Yorkshirespeak, so they can promote the store's goods in authentic style, such as: "If tha likes a spot er marmalade on thi toyst, tha m'n gu darn t'jam carnter, 'n' cop er odd er one er them jarza Robertson's, an if tha duz yer'l get one for nowt, an jobz a good un!'

(Translation: If you like marmalade with your toast, why not take a look at our offer on Robertson's marmalade, buy one and get a second free).

The sale of the honorary titles has been backed by the Yorkshire Ridings Society, the founders of Yorkshire Day.

Mike Killoran, of Asda, said: "Yorkshire people are known for their generosity and it seems they are willing even to share their privileged identity.

"The Yorkshire Week events will provide the chance for everyone - even those born outside Yorkshire - to celebrate this wonderful county of ours while raising valuable funds for charity."

Yorkshire Day was established to celebrate the continued existence of the historic county.

The date August 1 was chosen to commemorate the Battle of Minden in Westphalia in 1756 when Yorkshire regiments picked white roses from nearby fields in tribute to fallen colleagues. Since then, Yorkshire regiments have worn white roses on August 1 to mark the bravery of their Yorkshire ancestors.

York Tourism Bureau Chief Executive Gillian Cruddas this week welcomed the unusual promotion of the region.

She said: "We think it is fun. The York accent is unique and it is nice that we have such a strong sense of humour in Yorkshire. It is also nice to see a non-tourism business promoting the region."

Chamber of Trade and Commerce Chairman Roland Harris added: "Asda are to be congratulated on their initiative which promotes the profile of the region and at the same time hopefully attracts more business."

Confessing that he is not a Yorkshireman, Mr Harris said: "No, I am a South of England man via Lancashire and Cheshire so I probably shouldn't be allowed into the county for another 50 years. I definitely have the wrong credentials for a Yorkshireman!"

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.