Bells to ring across Devon to mark 100th birthday

The bells in more than 125 Devon towers will be rung on Saturday including at Exeter Cathedral

The sound of bells is likely to be heard throughout Devon on Saturday as the county's bell-ringers' association marks its centenary.

The Devon Association of Ringers said more than 100 towers, and more than 1000 ringers, would sound the bells from 10:00 BST through to 21:00 BST to celebrate its 100th anniversary.

Bell ringers at Exeter Cathedral, Widecombe-in-the-Moor, Brentor, Chagford and Lundy Island are among those taking part.

John Warne, president of the association, who came up with the idea said he hoped the "sounds of bells would be heard" throughout the county, and beyond.

'Quite an achievement'

Mr Warne said more than 125 towers were taking part and "were keen to get involved".

"Everybody that rings, enjoys ringing, so any opportunity to go out and ring, they will do so."

Mr Warne said he had rung bells for more than 50 years and would visit six towers in the South Molton area on Saturday.

He said the idea was inspired by Reverend AF McCarthy of Zeal Monachorum, who 100 years ago set up an "association to encourage call change ringing", to get more people to ring.

He added: "It's a nice way to celebrate and it's quite an achievement to keep going for 100 years."