AFTER two years of fundraising and work by the Whitechapel Bell Foundry, the bells of St Andrew, Sampford Courtenay are back ringing again.

A group of ringers from around Devon, Scott Adams, Steve Herniman, Merv Langdon, Andrew Gist, Paul Wright and three locals. Joe Stoneman, Karen Squire and Chris Clayton, tried them out in the presence of the two Whitechapel bellhangers.

Chris explained: "Even though the new ropes, which had only gone up that morning, had a very slight 'give' the first rise and peal were very good indeed.

He added: "I would like to express my appreciation to Whitechapel for the foundry work and the two gentlemen who actually did the hanging, for a superb example of the bell hanging art. Not easy with old bells in an old frame."

The total cost of the hanging and associated works was £52,000 and all but a few hundred pounds of this sum has been raised. Donations will still be accepted.

There will be a re-dedication of the bells by the Bishop of Exeter, on Sunday, June 13, at a service starting at 11am.

There will be a bell ringers' coffee morning in the church rooms at 10am on March 20.

Ringing will now resume its normal practice night on Tuesday for Sunday services.