A pair of 300-year-old bells will be restored for the first time in almost seven decades.

It took campanologists three days to remove the two bells. Together with clappers, the ball that strikes the bell to make the distinctive ring, they have been sent to specialists John Taylor and Co. for repair.

It is the first major overhaul of Wanborough’s bells since 1949.

Tony Pullman, bell captain, said: “This is the first time in nearly 70 years they’ve had any major refurbishment.”

The bells – two of eight in the tower at St Andrews, Wanborough – will return in September. The village’s peal of bells will be heard again by the time of the 100th anniversary of the First World War, when bell ringers across the country will take part in memorial project Ringing Remembers.

Anyone interested in volunteering as a bell ringer should visit: www.wanboroughringers.org.uk.