BELL-RINGERS in Wiltshire have joined a campaign to encourage more people to take up the hobby.

There are 209 working bell towers in Wiltshire, according to the Central Council of Church Bell Ringers, but the council fears that there will be no-one left to ring them in future if they fail to find enough new recruits.

Thee Ringing Remembers campaign aims to recruit 1,400 new bell ringers nationwide in memory of the 1,400 bell ringers who died in the First World War.

Bell-ringer Alan Regin said: “I was a youngster when I started ringing peals, and wherever I rang, I was often the youngest bell ringer in the band.

“Now, close to half a century later, I am, on occasion, still the youngest, and this concerns me.

“I’d love people in Wiltshire to help 2018 become the year that saves British bell ringing.”

The Ringing Remembers campaign, funded by the Department of Communities and Local Government in collaboration with Big Ideas Community Interest Company and the Central Council of Church Bell Ringers. aims to make the ancient tradition of bell ringing open to all and preserve it for future generations.

Virginia Crompton of the Big Ideas Community Interest Company, said: “If you want to feel part of your community, bell ringing could be for you.”

Bell ringing takes three months of free weekly classes to learn and anyone of any age can join as long as they can climb a staircase.

Anyone interested should email ringingremembers@bigideascompany.org.