It's not an entirely usual aperitif -- but pre-dinner Italian lessons are going down a treat with diners in an Otley restaurant.

Visitors to Buon Apps have been eagerly digesting a selection of handy Mediterranean phrases before and alongside their pizza and pasta.

The language while you eat courses were the idea of the Italian owner Aleassandro Tocca who appears to have hit on a winning formula by combining the cerebral with the culinary.

The first seven-week course at the restaurant has proved highly successful and now anyone who wants to go out for dinner with a difference is being invited to apply for the second series of sessions which start next month.

Alessandro - or Alex as he is more commonly known - is originally from Rome but came to England 11 years ago. After initially working as a pilot he took over the wool shop premises in the Wharfebank Business Centre four years ago, running it first as a sandwich bar and then as a restaurant.

And last year he came up with the idea of serving up traditional food with language tuition.

"You don't expect to go out to eat, drink and try to learn a language but I thought it was a good idea," he said.

"Everybody who comes down to Buon Apps is always trying to speak Italian to me - so I thought why not combine the two things.

"We did a seven week course and it was quite funny because at the beginning everybody didn't know each other. In the deal we offered a glass of wine or another beverage - but nobody went for the wine.

"Towards the end of the course everybody was drinking a lot of wine and having a good time being merry.

"I think that is the best way to learn Italian. You go through the barrier of being afraid of making mistakes."

The course, which centres on the sort of conversational language anyone would need to get around Italy, proved highly successful and attracted around 30 participants.

This time Alex is thinking about running two series of classes to cope with the growing demand.

As well as good wine and conversation 'students' are also treated to a selection of Italian dishes and deserts.

Alex, 33, who came to this country to learn English, whilst always intending to return to Rome, enjoys chatting to the customers in his native tongue.

"I like to teach people to speak Italian," he said. "I have lived in England for 11 years and had 11 years of people teaching me to speak English. It is nice to have it the other way round."

The next course begins on February 26. It costs £18.99 per session including food and drink.

Anyone interested in taking part can contact Alex on 01943 468458.