THE region's oldest set of bells will get a £70,000 makeover after campaigners hit their fundraising target.

The bells of St Nicholas' Church, in Durham, which were cast in 1687, will be removed, cleaned, retuned and reinstalled, complete with a new steel frame, wooden wheels and pulleys.

It is hoped the process could begin later this year, after a £49,700 Lottery grant.

The small team also raised £19,000 through community events and donations.

Dorothy Nicholas, one of the ringers, said: "It is most encouraging. The bells are part of our heritage."

The five original bells were made by James Bartlett, in Whitechapel, London -in the same foundry where they will be renovated.

They weigh 200kg to 500kg each and are made of copper and tin. Each is stamped with the title of James II. A sixth bell was added in the 19th Century.

Having been silent through the Eighties and Nineties, repairs were carried out so they could be brought back into use in 2000.

But ringers knew a more extensive renovation was needed and have been raising money since. While the project is ongoing, ringers have launched a campaign to teach people about the bells.

Mrs Nicholas and others are leading school assemblies and giving talks to community groups.

On Saturday, August 30, a small set of bells will be set up in Durham Market Place, allowing novices to try the ropes.

For an exhibition planned in the Clayport Library, in the city, in September, ringer John Lumsden has been delving into the County Records Office archives, tracing the history of the bells.

Among his discoveries were the 16 rules 17th Century churchwardens followed when dealing with bell-ringers, including when the bells could be rung and how much bell-ringers were paid.

Mr Lumsden said: "It was very pleasing to discover entries that relate to the bells that still exist today. We think of them as being so old, but back then they were new."