BELL ringers in Bovey Tracey are launching a campaign to ensure the town’s beloved church bells continue to ring.

The bells have been ringing at the church of St Peter St Paul and St Thomas for more than 500 years but now there is an urgent need for repairs to ensure they carry on ringing for future generations.

A Go Fund Me campaign is being launched to Save Bovey Bells to raise the £110,000 cost of repairs to the church tower.

Bovey’s tower captain Mike Wigney is leading the campaign.

Since a mountaineering accident 24 years ago which left him paralysed from the chest down, Mike has rung the bells at more than 1,800 church towers from his wheelchair.

Narrow medieval staircases pose constant challenges, which he managers to overcome.

His committed band of ringers have already raised £60,000 amongst themselves, but they still need another £50,000 to repair the stone tower, which is cracking as its corroded steel girders, which hold up the bells, push against the walls.

They need to pay for the removal of the eight bells and their heavy frame, replace the girders with modern galvanised steel, then reinstall the bells and their frame.

Former Tower Captain and current ringer Chris Dell said: ‘We get quite a lot of very positive feedback, the part the bells play in weddings and other celebrations and commemorations.’

After leading a recent funeral, Rev David Harris thanked the ringer who had tolled the bell.

He said: ‘People commented on the lovely muffled sound. Very effective.’

Marina Sideropoulou, who lives near the church, said: ‘I love hearing the bells. I feel the church is alive.’

Resident Gema Denia said: ‘It is wonderful to hear the tradition is still going, and it gives you the feeling that we're all listening to the same sound.’

Ringer Roger Dickinson worries about the tower's future for his family.

He explained: ‘I've been ringing for four years and my eight-year-old daughter is keen on ringing herself. But we need the tower repaired so she can.’

American-born Sarah McIntyre, Bovey ringer and author-illustrator of the popular Adventuremice children's book series said: ‘I love it that church bells are such an ancient tradition here in Devon.

‘I’m very inspired by the way our tower captain won't let anything stop him from ringing, and I really hope we won't let down him, or the people of Bovey.’

The band of ringers has been digging deep to raise funds themselves.

Sarah explained: ‘Losing the bells would be awful, none of us can bear the thought of them being replaced with an electronic recording.’

The Bovey ringers will be hosting the Old Moreton Deanery Competition in June at which they will raise awareness of the Save Bovey Bells project.

The competition dates back to 1933 and will include bands from some of the 12 towers in the old Deanery: Ashburton, Bickington, Bovey, Buckland in the Moor, Holne, Ilsington, Lustleigh, Manaton, Moretonhampstead, North Bovey, Trusham, and Widecombe.

Mike explained: ‘The aim is to have a friendly competition, so any band which is short can recruit extra ringers from the other bands.’

To donate to the Save Bovey Bells appeal, go to https://www.gofundme.com/f/save-bovey-bells