FORMER lawyer Steve Banks has swapped the court room for the bar room in launching a new career.

Steve, who in a previous life as a solicitor served his clients in magistrates' courts, including Skipton, is now serving to real ale lovers in his new micro-pub.

With his partner, Janet Langton, who has given up her career as a pastoral supporter, they are now providing liquid refreshment at the latest ale house to open in Skipton, the Beer Engine off Coach Street.

It was launched in May and since then trade has been "excellent" says Steve, who gave up his career as a solicitor earlier this year having worked throughout the Bradford and Leeds circuits, to take on a new challenge.

"I've always loved real ale. It's been something of a hobby. So now I'm combining my living with my interest in beer," said Steve.

"Obviously there was some apprehension about starting a new venture, but it's exceeded our expectations. From the start we've done very well."

And he praised all the other publicans in the area who have been "so encouraging". "Everyone has been supportive, especially the manager and staff at the Narrowboat.

"If I've wanted advice they have been there. They've helped with advertising and in lots of other ways. We have a great community here in the Coach Street area."

The Beer Engine, set up in a former fitness centre, is a one-room public house which prides itself on not having music or television. Food is restricted to nuts.

Steve said: "We've provided a place where people can come and chat and make new friends. It's great to hear the hum of voices rather than voices clashing with music."

And it is unique feature is the rack of casks in two rows behind the bar feeding the six traditional beer engines on the bar.

The cooled and glass-fronted shelves were devised as a feature because the premises has no cellar.

The brews are constantly changed, many supplied by relatively local breweries, and Steve ensures there is a good cross-section of beer strengths, from 3.5 per cent to 5 per cent gravity.

In the autumn Steve and Janet will be joining in the "Aleoween" beer festival, which will be held to celebrate Halloween at the end of October.

The festival, which will focus on beers especially brewed to mark the the coming of winter, is being co-ordinated by the five pubs closely associated with the Coach Street area - the Beer Engine, Narrowboat, Cock and Bottle, Yorkshire Rose and Royal Shepherd.

"There are a number of beers such as Hobgoblin and Pendle Witches which are appropriate for the autumnal season," said Steve.

The Beer Engine is closed Monday and Tuesdays and open Wednesday to Sunday from noon to about 11pm.