THE historic bells at Castlemorton's parish church will be removed for the first time in more than 100 years next week.

A £30,000 Golden Jubilee restoration appeal was launched at the beginning of the year for essential work to the bells and tower at St Gregory's Church.

Next weekend, work is due to begin swinging the six bells out of the tower, ready to be taken to a specialist foundry in Loughborough.

The bells will be retuned to the two oldest, which date from 1695. While they are out, strengthening work will be carried out on the 17th century bell frame.

The bells will be rehung with new fittings, hopefully putting them in good order for another 100 years.

Apart from the two oldest bells, there are four others, one recast in 1795 and three from the last restoration work in 1896, when a sixth was added to the set.

The Golden Jubilee restoration appeal was launched by St Gregory's Parochial Church Council and funds are still being raised.

Any profits from Castlemorton Jubilee Fete on the common on Saturday, June 1, will go towards the cost of the work.

Elizabeth Smith, one of the appeal organisers, said the work would also help to ensure that bell ringing skills are not lost.

"The bells have become very difficult to ring and are not really suitable for learners," she said.

"One of the things we definitely want to do is teach people, so that we can keep them ringing for the next 100 years or so."

When the bells are returned from the foundry after eight to 10 weeks and are rehung, experienced bellringers will be invited along to help teach new volunteers.