IT'S just over two years since Florence Greenwood stepped down as organist at St Mary's Church, Kelbrook, having fulfilled the vital role for 50 years.

Her replacement, Anthony Smith, was thrust in at the deep end. Although a competent pianist, he had never played an organ before and was about to discover that, as the Americans say, "it's a whole different ball game".

"It's one of the hardest things I've ever done," said Mr Smith, a retired vet who found himself drafted back into service to help with the foot and mouth crisis. "It's extremely difficult co-ordinating hands and feet and I'm just about getting to grips with it now."

He gives much of the credit for his progress to his teacher, Edward Scott. A native of Embsay, he is well known and respected in Craven musical circles. He is the former music director of Skipton Parish Church and of Ermysted's Grammar School, and a renowned church organist in his own right.

Then there's the man who Mr Smith jokingly calls "my assistant", the man who sat in for him at the keyboard several times this summer when foot and mouth kept him from his musical duties.

That man is Tim Rishton, whose wife Tracy is the new lay pastoral assistant for the neighbouring parishes of Earby and Kelbrook. By a lucky coincidence, he can also play the organ.

In fact, Dr Tim Rishton, to give him his full title, is a former cathedral organist and diocesan music officer and currently a university professor in church and organ music. He is internationally acclaimed as a concert organist, author and lecturer.

Before moving to Kelbrook, the Rishton family lived in Norway where Tim was in charge of the Church Studies Faculty at the University of Tromso. He is still employed by the university, making frequent trips there, and works closely with others in Denmark, Sweden, Britain and Ireland, developing teaching methods for use on the internet.

In addition, he gives over 80 concerts a year, has given lectures and master classes in Norwegian, English and Welsh at universities and made regular radio and television broadcasts. He has also made a number of solo recordings, as well as recordings with Aled Jones, Simon Roberts and others.

In short, he's the Elvis Presley of church organ music! How many village churches can boast such a towering talent as their "stand in"? It's the equivalent of David Beckham moving to Kelbrook and turning out for the village team on a Sunday morning because the usual striker is busy milking the cows.

Tonight (Friday) you can appreciate the musical talents of all three men, Mr Smith, Mr Scott and Dr Rishton, at a Centenary Concert at St Mary's to celebrate 100 years since the organ was installed there. They will perform a varied programme by no means confined to "religious music". Mr Smith will also give an introduction to the Kelbrook organ.

Built by Cross Hills firm Laycock and Bannister, it is typical of many in the area. A brass plaque above the keyboard reads: "Erected to the glory of God and in memory of Margaret, the wife of William Hallam. AD 1901."

Originally the organ was pumped by hand, with an electric pump added in the 1920s.

The Centenary Concert starts at 7.30pm and everyone is welcome. Admission is free and there will be a collection for the organ fund, to ensure it is still going strong in another hundred years' time.