CHURCH bell ringers are appealing for funds to keep the bells sounding out as they have done for nearly 160 years.

The ringers of St Michael’s Church in Braintree need £55,000 to remove, refurbish, reshape and retune their ten bells which have eroded and deteriorated.

No major work has been carried out on the bells since they were installed in 1869.

A Just Giving page has been set up to raise the remaining £5,000 needed for the bells.

The cash is needed to transport the bells one by one by lorry to the Bell Foundry, where the work will be carried out, before they are raised back into the tower.

The funds will also cover refurbishing the inside of the ringing chamber, where the walls will be repaired, treated and painted and all woodwork will be treated and varnished.

New furniture will be fitted, and a simulator installed onto the bells so they can be rung through speakers meaning there is no noise outside.

The restoration project has been led by tower master Bradley Hill.

Mr Hill, 25, said: “The ringers here at Braintree are very committed to their ringing and are involved in the practice for lots of occasions in the district.

“The bells have been ringing in St Michaels for more than 150 years, and we want to make sure they are rung for at least another 150 years.”

Bell ringing has been around since the early 1600s, ringing for church services, funerals, weddings, Remembrance Day and other special occasions.

During the Second World War, they were rung to signal an enemy invasion.

St Michael’s Church is a 13th century building, and the largest bell weighs approximately 581kg.

Mr Hill added: “Ringing has been the heart of the community for 100s of years which we really don’t want to lose.

“Although there are several grant schemes available, we need the support of the community to help run this refurbishment project and to keep the bells of Braintree ringing.”

To donate, visit: www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/stmichaelsbells, or contact the ringers directly at braintree@eacr.org.uk.