A SPECIAL ale called Benedict's Brew has been produced for a medieval day to be held at a North Yorkshire abbey later this month.

The beer has been created by local brewery, Brown Cow Brewery of Barlow, for Selby Abbey, which will stage the Medieval Day next Wednesday.

The vicar, Canon John Weetman, has been presented with the first bottle for sampling and approval at a special ceremony held at the abbey.

Brewing was a major part of monastic life in medieval days and the brewery will put on an exhibition next Wednesday showing how beer would have been brewed in those days and how it is created today.

Other attractions of the medieval day , which runs from 10 am to 5 pm, will include drama, music, wood turning, pottery, archery, birds of prey, a medieval bouncy castle, medieval style refreshments and a stained glass exhibition. Admission is free.