BELL ringing peals will be rung for three hours each at Pershore Abbey in February.

The first peal has been arranged by Paul Jopp, who grew up in Stoulton. He learnt to ring as a child and completed his first full peal when he was eight.

His team of ringers will be ringing a peal of Stedman Triples, during which seven of the eight bells will be creating the change sequences.

This peal will take place on Saturday February 3, and is being rung to honour Arthur 'Bill' Berry who died five years ago.

Mr Berry, a former resident of Priests Lane in Pershore, was taught to ring on St Andrew’s bells and, for over 50 years, looked after and rang the Abbey bells.

Tower captain, Stuart Piper, said: "We are grateful to the Abbey for letting us ring these significant peals. The peals are being rung by experienced bell ringers.

“From a local perspective, we want to recruit new ringers to take part in the national bell ringing planned for 1000 churches on Armistice Day in November this year.

“Anyone wishing to learn to ring for Armistice Day should please join us soon."

He worked as a bell hanger and had been involved in many bell restoration projects in the area.

The second peal, arranged by Roger Hunt, will be on Saturday February 24.

Fifty years ago, as a teenager, Mr Hunt learnt to ring at Hampton Church, Evesham, and has regularly rung at Pershore Abbey.

Now he has invited a team of ringers, including three people who have yet to ring a peal at the abbey, to ring Pershore Surprise Major, a method in which all eight bells are involved in the change sequences.

This method was first rung and named on Boxing Day 1969 at the abbey.

Each peal will start at 9.45am.

Mr Piper can be contacted via the Abbey Office on 01386 552071.