COMPLETING a marathon is a feat not many of us will undertake on our legs -- let alone using our arms!

But the bell-ringers of St Silas's Church, Preston New Road, Blackburn, pull the equivalent of a marathon everytime they peal the bells.

They not only have to climb the 54 steps up the bell tower, but they also have to pull the bells, one weighing 1,700lbs, the weight of a Mini, for three hours non-stop.

And the ultrafit group claim there is no better workout around because it even means you can recover from open-heart surgery in record time.

Frank Anderton, tower captain of St Silas's, underwent the life-threatening surgery about seven years ago.

But 61-year-old Frank was so fit after 40 years of pealing that he was out of hospital and ringing again the week after.

He said: "I had heart by-pass surgery in Blackpool Victoria Hospital and in less than a week I was back ringing, but it was about three months before I did my full three hour peal." Barbara Murray, from Preston, has belonged to St Silas pealers for 26 years.

She said: "You just can't stop Frank, he was up out of bed soon after and ringing. He's got a big heart, he's smashing.

"I suppose it's a credit to the excellent workout we get everytime we climb those stairs."

Jean Barnes, 45, of Alexandra Road, started at the same time as Barbara as recently completed her 500th peal -- no mean feat in pealing circles -- on Christmas Eve.

She said: "Ringing is something that takes over my mind completely it is really relaxing.

"I would recomend it to anyone, its such a great workout for mind and body and we have a great social life as well."

If anybody is interested in joining the pealers, call Frank on 01254 664937.