A TEAM of bell ringers from the United States will be treated to a slap-up fish and chip lunch during a visit to Otley.

The 25 church bell ringers will also be given a civic reception with the mayor during their stay in the town this summer.

The Pennsylvanian visitors will then sit down for lunch at Maypole Fisheries with the mayor before being shown the sights of the town by the bellman, Paddy Steval.

Mayor elect Councillor Gerard Francis said he wanted to give the Americans a traditional Yorkshire time.

"I wanted to give them something English and something they could remember, so I thought we'd take them for some fish and chips," he said.

The senior choir of the Central Presbyterian Church from Dow-ningtown, Pennsylvania, will be in the town as guests of the Otley Handbell Orchestra.

Michael Charnley, of the Otley orchestra, said it was about the seventh American team that had visited Otley. "This particular team contacted colleagues of ours in Grantham to say they were keen to come to Otley."

Mr Charnley said the team, which will be visiting Otley as part of a ten day national tour starting from London, was keen to see the sights of Otley and learn about its history.

The packed day, Tuesday, July 2, will include a concert at St Joseph's Church, and a guided tour around Otley by the bellman Paddy Steval.

"They are very keen to learn about Chippendale and Wesley," he said.

After the concert at St Joseph's, which will include guest spots by Jenny Phimister and the school's own junior bells and chimes orchestra, there will be a firework display at the Charnley's home.

They will be staying overnight with hosts in the town and although two more hosts are needed.

Anyone able to help should contact (01943) 464406 or (0779) 6381283.