Terrington church bell rings in the New Year for the first time in 40 years

For the first time since the 1970's the bells of Terrington-St-Clement church welcomed in the New Year. Picture: Mike Lister (Image: Mike Lister)

At the stroke of midnight, the tenor bell, the largest and heaviest of eight, rang 12 times to mark the beginning of 2018.

Captain of ringers, Peter Bird, said bell-ringing is in decline and even more so in rural areas. He added: 'We are fortunate enough to recruit several beginners and we have been able to staff the team to ring the bells.

'I believe it is keeping English history alive, a tradition that has been going on for hundreds of years.' Julie Lister, who has been a bell-ringer for five years, said: 'We rang until 20 past midnight and had a drink to celebrate the New Year. 'Bell ringers are rare and most churches stand silent with beautiful bells, it is such a shame.

'It breaks my heart to see the ropes hung up and nobody to ring them.'

For the first time since the 1970's the bells of Terrington-St-Clement church welcomed in the New Year. Picture: Mike Lister (Image: Mike Lister)