THE sound of bell ringing will herald the London Olympics across York, North and East Yorkshire on Friday.

Church towers will echo to the sound of change ringing, streets will fill to the sound of bicycle and door bells and handbell ringers will set their instruments into motion as hundreds of people join in a nationwide celebration.

They will be taking part in “Work No 1197: all the bells in a country rung as quickly and as loudly as possible for three minutes,” a composition by Turner Price winning artist and musician Martin Creed as part of the London Cultural Olympics.

Among those taking part in the Diocese of York will be the bell ringers of St Mary’s, Strensall, St Philip and St James, Clifton, St Mary’s, Elloughton, Bridlington Priory, All Saints, North Ferriby, All Saints, Pocklington, Beverley Minster and St Mary’s Cottingham.

Anyone in the UK with access to a bell is invited to ring it as loudly and often as possible in three minutes, starting at 8.12am on Friday.

Wendy Stabler, Honorary Secretary of the Beverley and District Ringing Society said: “’ All the bells’ is a great way for everyone in the country to mark the start of the Olympics, whether you’re ringing a church bell or your doorbell. Bells have been used for centuries to celebrate events, and I love Martin Creeds’ idea to use the bells to ring in the Olympics.”