Ringing the changes... that's medieval All Saints Church, in Houghton Regis, where work has been going on to re-hang the historic bells.

The six bells fell silent on January 6, ready to be removed to allow the wooden bell frame, more than 300 years old, to be strengthened.

Now townspeople are delighted to hear the peal of bells again, following the completion of the work.

And a Bell Tower Open Day will be held at the town centre church on Saturday, June 21, to give everyone a chance to see the results of the £18,000 project.

Bell tower captain Delroy Grey said: "It's the best way to let people know about it and to allow them to see the bells."

Six experienced ringers will be putting the bells through their paces from 10am to 12 noon, and there will then be a service from noon to 1pm.

From 1pm to 7pm, visitors can come along to see the bells, and view a film show, with refreshments on hand including a barbecue, curry, cakes and hot drinks.

And that's not all - an open ringing session will be going on from 2pm to 4pm.

An update in the church magazine said: "Everyone was highly delighted with the final results and outcome of a very successful refurbishment.

"The work was completed well ahead of the proposed schedule."

Now the clergy, churchwardens and the parochial church council members would like to thank everyone who has contributed to the project in any way.

The bells are centuries old - the first dates back to 1815; the second to 1816; the third to 1616, recast in 1899; the fourth to 1811; the fifth to 1580, recast in 1899; and the sixth to 1673.

It is believed that the fifth bell is the earliest dated in the county.

*New bell-ringers are urgently needed. If anyone is interested in joining the team, they should call Delroy Grey on 01582 868644.