THE ancient tradition of English-style bell ringing is being revived through a new challenge being held across Worcestershire.

It is hoped the initiative, Challenge 500, will breath life into the 400-year-old tradition, as part of the Heritage Open Days this September.

A call is being made for bellringers to open up 500 bell towers sites nationally, including in the county, between Thursday. September 8 and Sunday, September 11.

People will be shown the ropes, and the public can enjoy the unique music provided by ringing bands up and down the country. Instead of tunes, bells ring in sequences which ringers learn as patterns from memory.

In addition to the Challenge 500, ringers are invited to come together to create a collective bell ringing moment as part of the festival on Thursday, September 8, between 6pm and 7pm.

Loyd Grossman, patron of Heritage Open Days, said: "We are keen to recruit churches and cathedrals to become involved in the festival by registering an event for visitors to discover their bell towers and to take part in hands on demonstrations.”

Chris Mew, president of the central council of church bell ringers, added: “There are 5,000 bell towers for change ringing and our challenge is to unlock the doors to 500 of them."

To take part in the challenge bell towers need to be registered by August 1, with participants receiving a free marketing support park.

For more details visit heritageopendays.org.uk or email info@heritageopendays.org.uk.