Bell ringing has been banned at an ancient parish church after it was discovered the tower was crumbling.

Villagers in Birstall have been asked to help raise £15,000 needed to cover emergency repairs to St Peter's Church after workers mending the church clock spotted the tower's parapet and pinnacles were no longer held down.

The find in December ruined 18 months of preparations by six bell ringers who formed specially to ring in the new Millennium.

And the team, who used to peal the church's eight bells each Saturday, have not been able to chime a note since.

The Reverend Paul Knight said: "I went up with our architect and we were able to waggle the parapet wall.

"One piece of stone, which weighed about 30lbs, was completely loose so we lifted it to safety before it could blow off.

"The bell ringers were really disappointed, the New Year's Day ringing was to be our showpiece."

Mr Knight said the tower dated back to Norman times and was built nearly 900 years ago.

The upper section was altered in the late 15th century and iron cramps, used to hold the parapets together, have rusted through.

Some of the 100-strong congregation have been putting aside £1 a week to help pay back a loan taken out from the Wakefield Diocese.

Mr Knight said: "Being in an ancient church is both a privilege and a pain.

"A lot of people will say it's "their church" and even if they aren't part of the congregation it is there for their weddings and funerals."

Bell ringer John McGlynn, who has been ringing bells at Liversedge Parish Church since the ban, said he missed the bells which are regarded as among the best in Yorkshire.

He said: "Teams from all over the country visit the church to ring the bells.

"It will be nice to get back to them next month when work is finished."

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