BELL RINGERS will embark on a seven-and-a-half hour ringing marathon on Saturday.

The ringers at St Wilfrid’s Church, in Duncombe Place, York, are attempting to complete ten quarter-peals – each lasting about 45 minutes.

If successful, it is believed they will set a new record for the most ringing ever achieved at a York church in one day, with each of the church’s ten bells ringing out more than 100,000 times.

The ringers are seeking sponsorship for their efforts, with all funds going to a £5,000 appeal to refurbish the bell tower and improve teaching facilities for new bellringers such as seven-year-old Ewan Hull.

They are inviting people to visit the church on Saturday to watch them ring via a live video feed and enjoy refreshments, which will be served from noon.