DEMAND from other church towers could not stop the bells of St Mary’s Church Saffron Walden ringing around the town on the day of the royal wedding.

Initial plans to ring a quarter peal to celebrate the marriage of Prince William and Kate Middleton on April 29 were in doubt because of demand from other nearby towers for experienced bell ringers to help with their royal wedding day peals.

However, at 9.30am, 10 members of the team gathered to ring the St Mary’s bells.

Bell team secretary Roger Collins said: “I am pleased to say 10 of our ringers met to celebrate the royal wedding day by ringing Saffron Walden bells.

“In a change to our original plan, we were delighted to include four ringers who are quite new to the band and who are now ringing on Sundays; weddings and special occasions like this.

“Ringing is an activity that takes time and practice to reach this standard, it is therefore very rewarding for them and the entire band to see them ring for this special occasion.”