Bell ringers at Sandbach's historic St Mary's Church tolled the bells in honour of a 99 year old bell ringer who sadly died this week.

The bell was tolled 99 times by members of St Mary's Bell ringers to mark Doreen Edward's death on Wednesday.

Former teacher and Sandbach bell ringer, Doreen Edwards, continued to toll the bells at St Mary's until she was 92.

She had travelled all over the country tolling the bells at over 1,000 towers and had passed on many of her campanology skills to others at St Mary's.

A family spokesman said: " She would have stated as one of her proudest achievements, she had tolled bells at over 1000 towers.

"She will be very much missed by the family and many others."

Andy Guest, a member of St Mary's Bell ringers who helped organise the special toll on Wednesday in her honour said: "Doreen was a very, very keen bell ringer.

"She had taken a couple of people here under her wing and shared her interest and passion for bell ringing.

Download our Nub News App!

- It’s FREE and available now
- Breaking news notifications
- Your Town in Your Pocket

"In the past, she had regularly been seen in Sandbach and was a fond member of the group here.

"She rang here until she was about 92 and could no longer get up the stairs in the tower. We are very grateful for all she did here."