Man with Parkinson's takes on cathedral bell-ringing challenge

Chris Phillips said he would not let his diagnosis define him

A Worcestershire farmer who was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease plans to ring the bells at Worcester Cathedral non-stop for four hours.

Chris Phillips, from Leigh Sinton, has been ringing bells for the past 40 years as a hobby.

On Saturday the 51-year-old will use his passion to raise vital funds for Parkinson's UK.

The challenge is set to begin at 09:50 GMT and will see a team of 11 ring the bells continuously 5,000 times.

Mr Phillips said he had begun developing Parkinson's disease symptoms when he was in his mid-40s.

Speaking to BBC Hereford & Worcester, Mr Phillips said: "I started developing a limp when I was 45 and I went to the doctor a number of times and I went to see a physiotherapist.

"I was then asked to see a neurologist who gave me the devastating news that I had Parkinson's disease.

"I then had to drive 50 miles to tell my wife, mum and sister that I had this dreadful thing."

Painful

Some of the bells at Worcester Cathedral weigh half a tonne and Mr Phillips admitted he believes some people underestimate the skill of bell ringing.

He added: "On Saturday my hands will be bleeding for sure, it's going to be painful.

"My shoulders are going to feel like they have been pulled out of their sockets."