Keighley parish church bells could ring less sweetly than the rest when it joins in the nationwide peal to welcome the new Millennium - because there are too few bellringers.

At present there are only four experienced bellringers sounding the eight bell tower at Keighley's shared parish church in Church Green.

Now an urgent appeal has gone out for volunteers to learn the ancient art in time for the great event.

Bob Schofield, who teaches bellringing at Keighley and also rings at St Mary's, Oxenhope, said: "Keighley has just two people in training at present but we need more people to be committed to the job.

"It can take about six months or even up to a year to get competent. It is not like learning a violin where you can practice every day.

"People have to train on the bells and there is only one evening a week when we can practise."

Keighley Rector the Rev Michael Hardy said: "We aim to have all eight bells ringing. I am sure we will. We are working towards that but not without some difficulties."

The nationwide recruitment drive for bellringers is launched on Friday at York Minster when the Archbishop, the Right Reverend David Hope, will ring one of the giant minster bells.

The following day the Yorkshire Association of Change Ringers is holding a special exhibition at Skipton's Holy Trinity Parish Church in High Street where people can learn the history of bellringing and see the eight-bell peal.

Skipton bellringer Deborah Thorley, said: "We want Keighley to be rung in full. They will not be able to ring in the new Millennium so sweetly if all eight are not rung."

She said there were no problems at Skipton which was regarded as having possibly the best sounding peal of eight bells in the country.

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