A CHURCH near Ledbury has won support in a bid to restore its bells.

The Heritage Lottery Fund has awarded £31,800 to Tarrington Church and the cash will also help create an exhibition about a First World War bell-ringer from the village.

George Evesham, who rang the bells at the church, was killed in France after being gassed, although his death came too late to ensure his name was added to Tarrington’s war memorial. In recent years, however, it has been read at the annual remembrance service.

A team of volunteers has recently been scouring archives for information on him.

People are currently being recruited to help with all aspects of the project.

“We expect to find jobs to be done for everyone who would like to be involved and we hope that as many people as possible will be,” said the church’s curate, Rev John Watkins.

The exhibition will be a timely one as 2014 marks 100 years since the start of the First World War.

Rev Watkins wants to hear from anyone who has information about Mr Evesham or photographs of Tarrington for use in the exhibition. He can be contacted on 01432 890595.