A CHURCH is offering people the chance to celebrate special occasions in style - by paying to have bells rung in their name.

As part of the Ring for the Future appeal at Kidderminster's St Mary's Church, ringing can be sponsored to celebrate occasions, such as wedding anniversaries and births, or as a memorial to mark the death of a loved one.

The appeal to replace the church's 12 bells was launched 13 months ago and has already raised almost £110,000.

Church ringing master Christopher Stuart said it had gone better than expected and he was confident the £135,000 target would be achieved by Christmas.

He said about 20 people had paid for bell ringing, which costs between £50 and £100, but the majority of money had been raised through donations and the "sale"of bells.

"The bells can be rung to celebrate anything for up to an hour if it brings a bit of money in," he said.

"It normally runs on Sunday evenings and is a really nice way of remembering someone, because all details are published in a bell ringing magazine and we send a copy to people.

"We have had money from lots of different sources and people have actually bought bells as well, paying £2,500 for the smallest and £12,500 for the biggest.

"Many have been in memory of relatives who have died. Because the bell lasts 1,000 years it is a more permanent memory then a gravestone."

It is expected the new bells will be cast in August, installed by December and first rung at St Mary's Christmas service.

Sponsored bell-ringing will be available until the end of June and a charity choir concert will take place on May 3.

More information can be obtained from Mr Stuart on 01562 750285.