AN appeal has been launched to improve Settle's church bells.

The bells of Holy Ascension Church were silent for 70 years following a doomed bid in the 1920s to make them sound as good as those at Skipton's Holy Trinity.

In the intervening years a tape was played of London's Bow Bells, which worked well except for occasions when the cassette was put in the wrong way round.

Frantic dashes had to be made to the bell tower to stop brides arriving to the funeral march!

In 1996 parishioners decided to take action, and the eight bells were restored free of charge by Hayward Mills Associates, of Nottingham.

The cost of the parts was also met by Ron Dove, of York, the author of "A Bellringer's Guide to the Church Bells of Britain."

However, the bells were not placed onto metal bearings and consequently it takes a huge effort to actually ring them.

The latest appeal will ensure they swing more easily.

Rev Stewart Ridley, who has had to give up ringing because of back problems, may once again be able to ring the bells once the work is carried out.

He said: "The bells were made in 1887 by Thomas Mallaby and Sons of Masham to mark Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee.

"In 1923, there must have been some rivalry in Craven as the congregation wanted to get a better ring than Holy Trinity had in Skipton. This didn't happen and they stopped ringing.

"They are hardly worn and were restored in 1996."

Rev Ridley said the restored bells were first rung on June 23 of that year.

"We have got a good team of ringers, but the bells are quite difficult to ring because of the effort of holding them back," he added.

"It's like driving a mini with a crash gear box!"

The appeal to improve the bells has been launched in memory of the late Freda Soames. She was a church warden at Holy Ascension, where her son Stephen is bell tower captain.

The Parochial Church Council is now planning a number of events to raise funds for the appeal.

Proceeds from the next charity dance at Settle High School on April 6 will be donated to the cause.

The event begins with line dancing from 7.30pm to 8pm followed by ballroom dancing from 8pm to 11.30pm.

Tickets cost £3.50 including supper and are available by contacting 01729 825434.