Celebrations were held at the weekend to mark 200 years since the Reverend Patrick Bronte, father of the famous literary sisters, married Maria Branwell.

A full peal of bells was attempted at two churches significant to the Brontes on Saturday – firstly at Guiseley Parish Church, where the original wedding ceremony took place, and later at Haworth Parish Church, where Patrick Bronte was vicar from 1820 to 1861.

It was exactly 200 years to the day since the Bronte wedding that the demanding full peal, involving nearly three hours of constant bell ringing, was attempted twice.

A band of ringers from the Yorkshire Association of Change Ringers were drafted in to help and organise the full peal at both churches.

A full peal consists of 5,040 changes and takes about three hours to complete. It requires great concentration from the ringers, because any mistake can invalidate the performance.

Simon Burnett, the bell captain at Haworth, where the six bells were installed by Patrick Bronte in 1845, said that the attempts at both churches had been successful.

He added: “It’s only the 20th full peal on these bells, which were installed in 1845. Patrick Bronte actually raised the money for them to be installed. So to complete a full peal this weekend was quite an achievement.

“It took us two hours and 47 minutes, with 5,040 changes and three different methods. It’s quite a feat of concentration as there must be no repetition of a particular sequence of bells.”

He added that Barrie Dove, the president of the regional association, was involved in the peals at both churches.

The last time a full peal was attempted at Haworth was to mark the royal wedding in April 2011.

The celebrations also coincided with another important date, as it was 39 years since the current priest-in-charge at Haworth, the Reverend Peter Mayo-Smith and his wife, Eileen, were married.

Mr Burnett added that with only six ringers at Haworth they are always keen to find new members. Anyone interested in getting involved should call 07815 186074.