After six months of silence, bells are once again ringing at a Brooke church.

The upgraded bells at St Peter's Church have been installed thanks to money raised through grants and local donations.

Last November, the bells were taken out of the tower to be fitted with new headstocks, wheels and clappers.

They were then returned in April to be re-hung in the newly installed steel frame.

Thanks to grants from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) and the Norwich Diocesan Association of Ringers, as well as donations from villagers and the Friends of St Peters, the project will ensure the bells ring out for the future.

New fittings were last installed in 1912 and this project, which was awarded £58,900 from HLF, should see them lasting for the next 100 years.

The bells were put back up thanks to work by local volunteers and John Taylor and Co Bellhangers.

Dawn Pullan, the ringing master said: 'We now look forward to regular ringing again and welcoming new ringers to ensure that the bells are heard throughout the village for many years to come. I would like to thank all those who have generously donated time and money to this worthwhile project.'

Robyn Llewellyn, Head of HLF East of England, said: 'We are delighted that thanks to National Lottery players we have been able to support this project to ensure that these historic bells will be heard for the next 100 years. It is a fantastic opportunity for young people to explore the ancient art of bell ringing, as well as for people to learn about the history of their local community.'

The six bells were installed in in the existing timber frame in 1758 by Joseph Mallows of Dereham and are the best surviving example of Joseph Mallows bells in the county. The bells in the new frame have been described as easier to ring and this will encourage more people, especially younger ones, to take up this ancient skill. The National Lottery funded project has also included community involvement from the local history group, scouts and the village's school.