The chiming of church bells has returned to Gravesend thanks to the efforts of a resurgent group of bell ringers.

Absent for around 20 years, regular bell ringing is back at St George’s Church in Gravesend after rector Chris Stone approached Peter Joyce to teach a band back in 2015.

The bells can now be heard on Sundays, Wednesdays for practice and during special services and events.

The band also came together for Strike Back Against Blood Cancer (SBABC), which saw bells rung out around the county for 45 minutes continuously.

Among the ringers at Gravesend was campaign instigator Julie McDonnell – who suffers from a form of Leukaemia and attended the ringing at St George’s Church despite undergoing heavy chemotherapy treatment.

Not all residents have been a fan of their return, but as Julie explained in an email to Mr Joyce, the bell-ringing has been a crucial help during her fight against cancer.

“Bell ringing has been a godsend to me – none more so than while raising the awareness of the 137 different blood cancers,” she said.

“Tell your locals that the bells are helping people with blood cancer – that the bells make them feel supported and not alone. I know, as I am one of those people.”

The Gravesend bells will ring in conjunction with bells around the country at 7pm on Thursday June 15, as part of BBC Music Day.