Silsden'S parish church bells could stay inside their tower following a passionate plea by townsfolk.

Vicar the Rev John Cooper had taken the step of agreeing to sell the six bells to help pay for thousands of pounds of essential work to the church tower.

But a group of townsfolk has got together and has attempted to persuade members of the parochial church council not to let the bells go.

Writing in the parish magazine, Mr Cooper said a decision on the future of the bells would be made soon. "The PCC is in the process of getting further advice in order to decide if we should proceed with our original decision, or instead, retain the bells," he said.

The six bells were due to be sold to a specialist metal dealer after the church claimed Silsden residents were not interested in raising the £50,000 needed to save them.

Ann Jacobs, from the group trying to save the bells, said: "This is part of the heritage of Silsden and it would be a shame to let them go.

"We accept that we would be unable to raise the £50,000 needed at this time. All we are asking for at this point is that they are not sold and left in situ until a later date when we can raise the necessary finance."

The National Lottery Heritage Fund was offering grants to restore church bells in time for a nationwide peal to mark the millennium, but St James' Church missed the deadline.

Grace Smith, who recently played the organ non-stop for 12 hours to raise cash to save the bells, also organised a coffee morning. The next fundraising event takes place at the church on April 24 when members of Steeton Male Voice Choir will perform. Tickets cost £4.

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