A CLERGYMAN has swapped the pulpit for pulling pints in his local pub.

The Reverend Tim Tunley, from St Andrew's Church, in Grinton, Swaledale, North Yorkshire, spent a week in the kitchen and behind the bar at the village's Bridge Inn.

Landlord Andrew Atkin admitted that his regulars were quite shocked to see a man of God pouring their "usual".

"He's a friendly guy and they got used to it - everyone thought it was funny," said Mr Atkin.

"And he enjoys a pint so he knows what a well-poured one should look like."

Mr Tunley is currently studying for his masters' degree in theology and ministry at Durham University.

He decided to spend his study leave travelling and experiencing other cultures, but also getting to know people better in his own community - and thought his local would be the ideal place to start.

"A long time ago I used to work in a kitchen and I wanted to get back in touch with the kind of work," said Mr Tunley.

"It was great fun and everyone was really friendly.

"I got to meet people I didn't know and chatted with others I did.

"By the end, I could nearly serve a good pint and I had learnt a lot of new recipes."

Mr Tunley is donating money he earned from his shifts behind the bar to a Christian charity in Tanzania, Africa, working with Aids sufferers.

He has also offered to work again when the pub is short-staffed.

The inn, which is owned by Jennings Brothers, recently won the Camra Real Ale award for north-west Yorkshire pub of the month.