Chimes echoed across the countryside as bellringers from all over the world congregated in Essex.

Members of the Central Council of bell ringers visit All Saints Church, Maldon on Saturday

The county is hosting the 107th annual meeting of the Central Council of Church Bell Ringers. On Saturday, the visiting delegates set off to ring peals at scores of churches - all the way from Basildon to the Tendring Peninsula.

A ringing demonstration was held yesterday at East Bergholt Church and all 230 representatives were due today at Lion Walk United Reform Church, Colchester, for a series of meetings.

Renee Armstrong, of the Essex Association of Change Ringers, said the group was honoured to be asked to stage the event.

She said: "It has only been held in Essex twice - in 1977 and 1929 - and we have never had the meeting in Colchester before. It's certainly not going to happen again very soon. We are very excited to be involved."

Published Monday May 31, 2004

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