THE much-missed sound of church bells is set to be heard in a small community for the first time in 30 years.

The restoration of bellringing Liddington's All Saints Church has moved a step closer thanks to a new committee.

Headed by All Saints vicar, the Rev Robin Cardwell, the committee is examining ways to restore the 13th Century church's bell frame.

The rotting wooden frame itself dates back to the 16th century.

However, it cannot be replaced because it is deemed to be of such historic value that an official order has been issued to protect it.

A solution is likely to come from a specialist church bell architect, who will devise a way of restoring the frame without the need to replace it.

The cost of this work has been estimated at £45,000.

Mr Cardwell, 55, said: "We need to establish what we want to do and how we are going to do it, but hopefully it shouldn't be too long before the problem is resolved.

"We haven't been able to ring the bells for a long time, and it's a great shame for all the villagers who would like to hear them ringing out once more.

"It's fair to say that time has taken its toll on the wooden frame and with insects burrowing into it the problem has been exacerbated."