BRITAIN'S best-known clown priest is to pass on his skills to children during a workshop in Bishop Middleham this weekend.

The Reverend Roly Bain has a unique ministry as a priest and a clown and has travelled all over the world teaching and performing.

A full-time freelance professional clown and Anglican priest, he performs in churches, cathedrals, prisons, schools, hospitals, open air events and circuses.

Clown of the Year in 1994, Mr Bain will be holding a clowning workshop at Bishop Middleham Primary School today, from 2pm.

He said: "There will be kids coming along and learning clowning skills. They will be spinning plates, balancing sticks, using the roley-boley and things like that.

"It is giving the kids a chance to learn spectacular looking stuff, but it's actually quite simple to do."

The priest will also don the motley to perform at a service in St Michael's Church, in the village, on Sunday, at 10am.

The Reverend Adele Kelham, who organised the visit, said: "We've only advertised it in the school because it's designed to try to build up the links between the church and the school and foster our relationship. It has proved popular and we have got about 30 to 35 children coming."