A PADIHAM vicar is asking the people of the town to dig deep to save the bells of his church.

The Rev Mark James, a trained bell-ringer, decided that the bell tower at St Leonard's in Church Street was in urgent need of repairs.

The wheels, bearings, pulleys and headstocks -- the wooden block the bells are attached to -- all need renovating.

The mammoth job will see the eight bells, the heaviest of which is 1.5cwt, lowered from the tower into a room below while the overhaul is completed.

The 100 year-old bells were last rung for the Queen's Golden Jubilee Celebrations in June. But Mr James would love to see them restored to their former glory and regularly used.

He said: "It is actually something that brings people together, which is what church is all about. Bell ringing, or campanology to give it the correct title, is a stimulating and interesting hobby."

Although a final figure has not been put on the cost of the repairs, Mr James has estimated that it will be in the tens of thousands of pounds.

However, the size of the task is not putting him off. Through concerts at the church, approaching various organisations for grants and local fundraising, he is convinced that by 2004 the sounds of his church bells will again ring out over Padiham.

He added: "I am sure it can be done. A number of people want to hear them ring again. Padiham residents know that this is the heritage of the town and they want to hear the bells during national events."

A process of time and use has worn the wheels and headstocks which mean that each time they are now rung, it takes the peelers hours to prepare them.

The appeal for funds for the bells will be officially launched next March with a concert at the church.