The church of St Mary of Charity in Faversham has fallen silent for the first time in almost 100 years after its historic bells were removed and taken away for restoration.

A specialist firm was brought in last week to manage the delicate operation of bringing down the cast bronze bells - weighing four tons - which were loaded onto a lorry.

The eight bells, the oldest of which dates back 300 years, have been taken to the John Taylor & Co Bell Foundry in Loughborough for refurbishment and retuning.

The company is also crafting two new smaller bells to make up a Westminster chime of 10, which it is hoped will be reinstalled and ringing out across the town in time for Christmas.

The church's 'steeple keeper' Peter Flower says the work has only been made possible by a generous legacy of a former parishioner who left £200,000 specifically for the bells.

"This type of work is very expensive and even then we had to top it up with a £20,000 grant," he said.

"The whole operation was quite an anxious one because of the sheer weight of the bells and the skill required in lifting them down from the frame and lowering them down the central shaft of the tower using just pulleys and ropes."

The last time the bells were removed was 90 years ago, when they were taken down from the ancient oak frame and reinstalled in a new tower at the west end of the church.

Mr Flower says that when the bells are rehung they are expected to be much easier to ring.

And he hopes it will encourage new young people to take up the skill of bell ringing.

"With two more bells, we will need to find some more ringers," he said.

"Almost anybody over the age of 10 can learn, and families, couples and single people enjoy the mental and physical challenge of learning the complex art of method ringing and the companionship it brings."

Anyone interested in finding out more can call Mr Flower on 07743 695946.

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