Ref. 14839/05BELLRINGERS at a Trowbridge church believe a 12-bell peal to mark the 70th anniversary of their restoration is out of the question because of a volunteer shortage.

It has been four-years since members of St James's Church tower ringers have played a full peal of 12 bells.

A lack of volunteers meant even a quarter peal attempt by the branch in December failed, but this year marks 70 years since all 12 bells were restored to the church tower.

Bellringers are brought in from surrounding churches to help out with services and ceremonies, but the church ringers wanted its own branch to mark the anniversary.

Captain of bell ringers Veronica Newman said it would be impossible to train people up to perform the full peal this year, but all 12 bells could be rung if enough volunteers came forward.

"Even if we got eight members it would be enough to ring rounds by the end of the year," she said.

The Wiltshire Times helped with the appeal to raise £600 towards the re-casting and re-hanging of the bells at St James's in 1934.

More than £1,200 was raised altogether with the whole town turning out to watch the bells restored to the tower blessed by Lord Bishop of Salisbury on July 25, 1934.

Today, North Bradley residents are trying to raise upwards of £30,000 for the re-hanging and restoration of their church bells.