MORE than £500 has been raised in continued fundraising efforts for a village’s church bell restoration.

St Andrew’s Church in Earls Colne is raising money to get its bells restored.

The bells were originally installed about 150 years ago and are in need of re-tuning and putting back with new fittings.

The church is trying to raise £60,000 to £70,000 to get the bells completely refurbished.

At the latest fundraiser, a quiz night held at the Earls Colne Village Hall, a further £533 was raised.

Trevor Beadle, from Earls Colne, is the tower captain with the church bellringers.

He said: “A huge thank you to all that were involved in this success, the 62 'quizzers who wracked their brains to answer the bell-themed questions in eight different categories, the helpers and everyone locally who supported the effort.

“We are also pleased to announce that the total raised so far towards the restoration of the St Andrew's bells has now passed £11,000.

“Join us for a festive treat in our next event when Scrooge and the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future visit in a dramatic recital of the classic Christmas story."

A Christmas Carol is on Thursday, December 22.