CELEBRITY chefs could soon be heading to Skipton, thanks to the expansion of the town's most famous kitchen appliance shop.

Several successful cookery workshops have been held by T N Cook at the family firm's former premises on Water Street, with well-known names within the food industry already taking part, like Susan Brookes from This Morning.

But the outlet was rapidly outgrowing the cramped site, and owners Sheila and Michael Cook have seen their long term dream turn to reality with an innovative move to an 'out-of-town' site last week.

The idyllic site, at Close House Farm, off Otley Road, promises to be a joy to visit for the company's loyal customers, some of whom come from as far away as Derbyshire.

The new rural setting will include a cafe area and a larger demonstration area, where professional workshops can be held in the cobbled courtyard setting.

Sheila and Michael are keeping their fingers crossed in the hope that the biggest names, like Delia Smith and Gary Rhodes, will visit to entertain and educate Craven's culinary community.

Michael said: 'We intend to expand the cookery clubs because they have been so popular in the past. We can't say much yet, but we are hoping to get a few more celebrities in.

'Close House Farm is the fulfillment of a dream for us. We have lots of new ideas and we are eager to see customers old and new at our new site.'

Picture by Stephen Garnett.

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