Church bells will peal out across Wisbech town centre after nine people came forward to answer an urgent appeal for new ringers.

Churchwardens at the church of St Peter and St Paul feared the bells would stand silent after Christmas after some of their ringing team left.

However, their future is now safe thanks to a new team that has stepped forward to learn the craft.

Angie Manning said: “The appeal went out in the paper and we have nine people already which is amazing, we are so pleased.

“We’ve set up a meeting for the new ringers to meet each other and talk about practice sessions.

“We don’t need to worry anymore. We can still have bells for church services and weddings, its fantastic.”

The church is rare because it has ten bells - an unusually high amount - but the number of ringers had dropped to just four leaving more than half of the set untouched.

The bell ringing success story is the second piece of positive news for the church in a fortnight - the congregation are celebrating a £28,000 heating system which has been installed following five years of fund raising - just in time for winter.

Mrs Manning said: “Last year there was one Sunday where the choir couldn’t change into their robes as it was just too cold. Having an efficient heating system means we will be comfortable all year round.”

The existing church boiler has been upgraded and a new one installed along with a range of new heaters installed.

Next on the wish list is a sound system.

“We will look at fund raising or put out an appeal for anyone who may have an old sound system they would be willing to donate,” said Mrs Manning.

The next fund raiser on the list is on Saturday October 25 at 7.30pm with a performance by Rapport, a musical variety act.

Fernley Copping, Amanda Thomson and pianist Angela Hankins specialize in music from the shows, incorporating ballads, comic and character songs.

Tickets cost £9 on the door and include refreshments.