A FUNDRAISER to restore a set of village church bells is almost at £12,000 as the community continues to support the efforts.

St Andrew’s Church in Earls Colne is raising money to restore and refurbish its bells.

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

The church is trying to raise £60,000 to £70,000 to get the bells completely refurbished in what has been described as an ‘overdue upgrade’.

The bellringers have said while the bells can still be rung as is, if something is not done within the next ten or 15 years, they will become an impossible set of bells to ring.

The latest fundraiser was held by the village’s Colne House Care Home through a Halloween event.

More than £400 was raised, taking the total to nearly £12,000.

Bellringer tower captain Trevor Beadle said: “Thanks to all the staff and residents of Colne House and all who attended the event, which raised a magnificent £431 for the St Andrew's bell fund, which now stands at £11,724.

“Our next event, A Christmas Carol, takes place on Thursday, December 22 in St Andrew's church at 7pm.”