AN appeal launched in April to replace the bells of Kidderminster's oldest church has passed the halfway mark.

So far £70,000 of the £135,000 needed to restore the historic peal of St Mary's has been pledged, with donations ranging from £10,000 to £5 sent in by one parishioner living close to the church.

The collection of bells, the oldest of which dates back to 1754, has been described as one of the worst of its kind in the country. Several of them, which weigh more than six tons in total, have holes and their poor layout threatens to damage one of the walls of the medieval tower.

The church is one of the very few in the county to have a set of 12 bells - most have eight.

When the work is completed. appeal organisers want to use the opportunity to show off the tower by opening it to the public.

Worcestershire District Change Ringing Association has pledged £10,000 to pay for a new tenor, or heaviest, bell.

Pupils and staff at Sladen Middle School are supporting the appeal by collecting coins.

A fund-raising quiz night will be held at the church on Saturday, June 29.

Teams of up to four are invited to contact Chris or Sarah Stuart on 01562 750285 to book a place.