Licensees of a Keighley pub are calling on their friends to provide the entertainment.

But Barbara and Alan Cowling's pals have more to offer than karaoke songs and party pieces.

These friends are leading performers on the Northern cabaret circuit and regularly play venues such as Batley Variety Club.

Barbara and Alan have run the Vine Tavern in Hope Place, off South Street, for the past 18 months.

For the previous three decades they performed on the cabaret circuit themselves as the comedy act Babs & Spider.

Their former "workmates" will now appear on Thursday evenings at the Vine, a far cry from the big clubs in Barnsley, Sheffield and St Helens.

"I pulled in a lot of favours," says Barbara. "I'm getting full-time acts here, people I've worked with all over the past 30 years.

"They're acts we haven't heard of locally. They'll play once and then people will ask when they're coming back."

Sunday entertainment will continue with regular appearances by local acts such as The Nomads and Storming Norman.

Barbara and Alan, with Alan's brother Brian, will continue to perform songs each Saturday evening.

Barbara says the expansion comes as the pub completes its long-awaited refurbishment.

She says new decor has made the main bar appear bigger and more welcoming. Tables and seats have been refurbished.

Coming up at the Vine: Greg McKenzie, Aug 8; Kath Ryan, 15; Lynn Day, 22; Dave Lloyd, 29; Keighley band Good Ole Boys, 25; karaoke, Aug 4, 18 and 31.

p Gemma Hayes embarks on an acoustic tour this month to promote her critically-acclaimed debut album Night on My Side. She performs tonight at Sheffield Barfly, and on Wednesday at Manchester's Night and Day.

p Young people are being sought to play singers and dancers in Ilkley Amateurs' production of the musical Copacabana.

Auditions will be held this Sunday for would-be performers aged 17 and upwards.

The society also wants to fill roles including the leading lady, described as a "pretty young girl in her early 20s", gruff but kind nightclub manager Sam, and cheeky warm-hearted cigarette girl Gladys, who is in her thirties.

Anyone interested should phone chairman Margo Atkinson on 01943 608479.