A recipe book featuring the favourite meals of some of Britain’s best-loved celebrities could help transform one of the district’s oldest churches.

The congregation at All Saints Parish Church, Ilkley, has produced the book, called Saints and Celebs Cookbook, in a bid to raise money towards its refurbishment.

Sybil Mussell and Dorothy Tinkler approached a number of well-known people, including Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Conservative leader David Cameron, asking if they would share their favourite recipes.

They had an overwhelming response with responses from celebrities including TV chefs Rick Stein and Lesley Waters, singer Sir Cliff Richard and author Jilly Cooper, who is from Ilkley.

Mrs Tinkler said: “We have ordinary Ilkley people’s recipes included in the collection alongside Gordon Brown, David Cameron, Alan Titchmarsh and Terry Wogan.”

The book, which costs £5, features 97 recipes including starters, main courses, biscuits, cakes and puddings.

Perhaps the simplest recipe in the book is from former Bishop of Woolwich Colin Buchanan.

He writes: “Take slices of bread from a sliced loaf according to taste. Insert in switched-on toaster. Await results. Satisfaction guaranteed.”

Jilly Cooper has included a message to readers with her recipe. She writes: “I spent many happy hours as a child when my parents took me to All Saints Church. There was an incredibly handsome man in the choir with golden curls who I gazed at to while away the occasional boring sermon.”

Other celebrities who have contributed include Jonathan Dimbleby, Michael Parkinson, Alan Titchmarsh, Terry Wogan, John Craven, Roger Royle, Gervaise Phinn and Dickie Bird.

To buy a copy of the cookbook, call Mrs Mussell on (01943) 602683 or Mrs Tinkler on (01943) 6016843.

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