THE bells will be ringing in Halesowen for Ma'am next month.

The renowned bellringers of St John's Church are preparing to celebrate the Queen's 90th birthday in time honoured tradition.

The bells at St John's have rung for every monarch since Queen Anne's reign in 1707 and bell tower will be open on Saturday, June 11.

The bellringers want townsfolk to ring a bell for the Queen and be a part of history as their name will be entered into the church's official records.

Bellringer Andrew Crumpton said: "This is a once in a lifetime opportunity so your name will be recorded in a book to be kept in the Church’s library to say you rang the Queen’s 90th birthday.

"We are inviting people to join the band to help chime the bells on Saturday, June 11 from 10am until 11.30am and everyone is welcome from the age 10 upwards to climb the stairs and make history with this unique opportunity.

He added: "The team are really excited about this day and we would love to have at least 90 people, one for each year, who have never rang before to celebrate this event and really ring out for Queen Elizabeth.

"There is no charge to take part, although donations to the church will be welcome."

He added: "With a lot of church towers in the UK falling silent due to the lack of ringers we really want to ensure we keep our tower ringing in celebration and what a way to do it.

"As a town we are so proud of our church so come and help us celebrate in style and come and shout about it using the towns bells so the Queen can hear us in London."

The church cafe will be open as usual and there will be handbells available for youngsters who cannot go up the tower.