CHUMBAWAMBA guitarist and expert fell runner Boff Whalley will welcome the crowds at the opening of Otley's first ever 'brewpub'.

Next month, Briscoe's Brewery moves from an Otley cellar into an extension of the Bowling Green in Bondgate.

And to mark the occasion, Boff, a member of the Pudsey and Bramley Fell Runners Club, will help brewer and fellow fell runner Paul Briscoe off to a racing start.

Paul, who has been busy brewing a range of beers in his Otley cellar for years, has used a runner in Pudsey and Bramley club colours in the new brewery's logo.

And he is hoping the launch on Saturday, March 4, will see dozens of runners making their way to the top of Otley Chevin.

"I've been a runner all of my adult life and most of my friends are runners," said Paul. " I belong to the Pudsey and Bramley Club and have drafted in my friends to come along on the day and run up the Chevin and back.

"I don't know how many people will be there but there'll be quite a lot and there'll be some beers at the end," said Paul.

Runners will set off from the Bowling Green at 4pm and will race right to the top of the Chevin and back again.

Paul, 39, who reckons it should take him around 12 minutes to get to the top, says others will manage the feat in even less time.

"Some of them will run straight up the steps, I tend to cheat and go up the track that winds its way up to the top."

Unfortunately, Boff will not be making the run himself as the keen Burnley Football Club fan will be watching an important match - but he will be there for the brewery opening at 6pm.

The full range of Briscoe's beers will be on sale at The Bowling Green, including the Chevin Chaser, Burnsall Classic, Dale Bottom Dark and a special one for the pub - Trev's Jovial Jollop.

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