CHURCH bells have been re-tuned and sound-proofed so residents don't have to go through the "pain" of listening to ringing practice.

The Rev Mark Jones, from St Leonard's Church, Padiham, decided on the adjustable sound control as part of £30,000-worth of improvements paid for by local people.

He said: "I know that they like hearing the bells on a Sunday morning or a wedding day but the practices should not be too loud and perhaps have been a bit painful.

"The sound proofing works by closing and opening quite a clever system of shutters, which can be kept shut when we are practising and opened fully on the day."

The eight bells, which are over 100 years old, have also been re-tuned, by a specialist from Leicestershire.

"The bells have been re-hung, refurbished and re-tuned using all new fittings," said Mr Jones.

At present there are only six or seven bell ringers, and some of those are just learning so lot of practices has been needed.

Bishop of Burnley, John Goddard, will re-dedicate the bells at a ceremony on September 5 at 3.30pm, and the public is invited to attend.

Mr Jones added: "Lots of people in Padiham have donated money and time to get this much needed work done and this day will be the chance to say thank you for all their help and support."

Ian Smith, from the Bellringers Association and ringing master at Blackburn Cathedral, said that deadening the sound of the bells was now common practice and some churches could completely block out the sound to the outside world.

He said: "Bellringers are very sensitive to the lives of nearby residents and we try to make sure that practice sessions finish or time or start earlier if we know there are children living in the area.

"Luckily at Blackburn Cathedral, we are not close to any residential properties, although we do get complaints from offices across the road from time to time.

"I remember hearing a story of a woman in Gloucestershire who got so fed up with the bell ringing that she broke into the church at night and cut all the ropes."