BELLRINGERS from across the country gathered in Worcester to battle it out for a place in the final of a prestigious competition.

Chimes could be held throughout the city as highly trained teams of campanologists spent almost three and-a-half hours ringing the bells of a Worcester church.

Hundreds gathered at All Saints Church, Deansway, on Saturday to take part, listen and support the national 12-bell contest eliminator.

Three of the country's top judges, David Dearnley of Ely, Cambridgeshire, Catherine Merlane from West Sussex and Worcester's Mark Regan had the tough job of marking the seven teams who each had half an hour to impress them.

Mr Regan, who is ringing master at Worcester Cathedral, said: "It is an honour to do this but it is very hard work. We have all judged it before.

"The level will be fierce as there is a lot a stake. It is a shame there are no Worcester teams taking part. We are not quite strong enough yet, but I think we will be in a few years' time."

Of the seven teams taking part in Worcester, only three qualified for the final in June.

Alison Regan, secretary of the Worcester Society of Bellringers, said it was a big event to hold, with ringers coming from Birmingham, Cambridge, London, Norwich, Oxford, Stockton-on-Tees and Towcester, Northamptonshire.

Judges looked for complete accuracy in the ringing and rhythmic striking of bells. Each team rang 288 changes of a method called the Lincolnshire Surprise Maximus, which involves 12 bells.

"It is quite a tricky one to do but all the teams were evenly matched," said Ms Regan.

Richard Grimmett, chairman of the national 12-bell contest and also captain of the Birmingham band, said it was an enjoyable event, while mayor of Worcester Stephen Inman said it was an exciting day for the city.

He said: "150 people or more have come from across England to Worcester and I am pleased they all can see the best the city has to offer."

Councillor Inman said he hoped people would be inspired by hearing the competition into becoming bellringers and that one day a team would be entered from Worcester.

The three teams to go through to the finals at Lincoln Cathedral in June were Birmingham, the Society of Royal Cumberland Youths, who hail from London, and Stockton-on-Tees.