A MUSICAL group is celebrating after being awarded a £4,000 grant by the National Lottery.

The Levisham and Lockton Handbell Ringers, known as LL's Bells, received the windfall from the Lottery's Awards for All scheme.

In the past, the group has been forced to borrow bells for its practice sessions, but now it will be buying its own set.

Group member Anne Deebank said: "Now we shall be able to play as a complete team, as well as being able to take on new members.

"The really good thing about hand bell ringing is that you don't need to be able to read music to do it. It's easy to learn the technique and almost anyone can be helping to play a tune in a few minutes."

She added: "We've had an awful lot of support from vill-agers in Levisham and Lockton for this project, for which we're extremely grateful. We are really looking forward to sharing our success with them."

LL's Bells meet every Tuesday, at 7pm, in Levisham village hall and anyone interested in joining can contact Mrs Deebank on (01751) 460274 or 460329.