I WAS both amused and perturbed to read that village newcomers might be able to silence the village church clock in Wrington, Somerset (Last Word, Echo, Dec 3).

I don’t know how churches across the country stand legally with regard to church clocks chiming overnight as they have done for centuries, but surely anyone moving house near to a church with bells or a clock would realise that they have rung out for years and that this may not be the best place for them to move to.

I am sure that lots of us see this as part of our national heritage and Christian tradition and would not wish it to change.

What next?

Chris Carruthers, Thornton Watlass, Ripon.