BRADFORD Cathedral's First World War memorial bells will be repaired and restored after the diocese received a £79,100 lottery grant.

The Heritage Lottery Fund's (HLF) grant will also pay for a number of events and exhibitions to tell the story of the cathedral's bells.

The cash will cover the repair and restoration of the peal of 12 First World War memorial bells, improve accessibility to the bell tower, train volunteer bell ringers and recruit more volunteers as guides and welcomers.

The grant will also produce information boards and an exhibition on the history of the bells.

Booklets on the heritage of the bells and the stories behind the names on the bells will also be produced.

An exhibition will focus on story-telling and interactive experiences to interpret the history of the memorial bells through two themes; the people of Bradford to whom the bells were dedicated and the long tradition of change in the city.

Other events set to take place include a 1920s-themed community launch, open days where visitors can meet past and present bell ringers and have a go at change ringing and a number of hands-on activities for children and families.

It is hoped the funding will lead to an increase in the number of bell ringers at the cathedral and also to the frequency the bells can be rung.

The project will start later this month and will run until March 2019.

The Dean of Bradford, the Very Reverend Jerry Lepine, said he hoped the restoration of the bells will benefit the whole of the city and lead to increased visitor numbers to the cathedral.

He said: "I am delighted that the National Lottery has given us funds to make this project possible.

"The cathedral bells are another piece of the essential heritage jigsaw in the city and we hope that many more people will get to appreciate the sound of them and have the opportunity to visit Bradford Cathedral."

The bells, located in the cathedral's bell chamber, are still in use and are used for weddings and events ,including installations of priests and canons held at the cathedral.

Bradford Cathedral is the oldest building in the city and its bell tower was finished in 1508 and the first bells were hung in 1666. These have been recast and added to and the bells hung in the tower in 1921 were a First World War memorial.

The bells feature messages from families recording a young man lost in war; from Sunday school teachers in gratitude for freedom won, and from the mothers of Bradford recording their love and gratitude to the men who paid the supreme sacrifice.

David Renwick, head of HLF Yorkshire and the Humber, said: "Bradford Cathedral is a fantastic building with a long and varied history.

"Not only will the project repair the historic memorial bells ensuring they can ring out access to the city but it will open up the cathedral's First World War stories, all thanks to National Lottery players."