An audible gift for a birthday, anniversary or other celebration is being offered by a group of bell ringers.

For a minimum donation of £5, the six bells at Liversedge Parish Church will be rung for half an hour before the Sunday service in celebration of an occasion.

The money will go towards the church's Bells and Tower (BAT) appeal.

Angie Moorby, one of the church's eight ringers, said: "We have to raise £40,000 for work needed for the tower and bells. It is a lot of money so we decided to look at fundraising from a different angle.

"We always ring on a Sunday morning before the church service and thought it might be a nice idea that if we were ringing them anyway, why not do it for celebrations like birthdays, engagements or anniversaries? We will mention who they were rung for in the church magazine and that person will receive a certificate."

She said the 180-year-old church off Knowler Hill has eight bells, but one has been deemed unsafe, and ringing with seven bells does not sound right. "We have already had about half a dozen people putting names forward," she said. "The minimum donation is £5, but we have had people give us £20 and even £50."

"We begin ringing at about 8.45am and the church service starts at 9.15am. It is just something different which could appeal to people 'outside' the church or older people in the community who don't necessarily come to church, but who don't want to see it close."

Following the church's last inspection, which said one of the tower's pinnacles had to be straightened, parishioners began fundraising.

Work on the tower was set to cost £90,000 and on the bells, £20,000.

Fortunately, English Heritage stepped in and offered to pay £70,000 towards the tower repairs, but the church must pay for the remainder itself. "Without the English Heritage funding we would be on a hiding to nothing," said Angie.

Fundraising events in the past have included a Rainbow, Brownie and Guide sketch show, an antiques evening and race and quiz nights.

Anyone interested in becoming a bell ringer or who would like to dedicate a ring to someone, should call Angie on (01924) 505723.

Rehearsals are at the church between 7pm and 8.30pm each Wednesday.