VILLAGERS in a moorland community have certainly been ringing the changes of late.

When help became available through a special scheme, people in Westerdale decided they would like nothing better than to learn how to ring the church bells.

Now the North York moors village has a ready-made group of bell-ringers on hand if the need arises - which is something of a relief to Danby parish councillor John Randles.

He suggested the idea after attending the funeral of the man who used to ring the church bells.

"I was relieved when someone turned up to do it," he said. "At one point I was worried I might have to step in."

Coun Randles made his suggestion at a meeting of the farm and rural community scheme run by the North York Moors national park.

Project officer Mr Fraser Hugill thought it was a great idea and agreed to help fund the cost of tuition by local bell-ringing expert Mr Joe Thompson of Commondale.

Since then more than 20 people have been turning up at the parish church for lessons.

The students' ages have ranged from a lad of eight to pensioners, with a good mix of men and women.

"I had no idea it would be so popular," said Coun Randles. "It really caught on.

"The ringing we do is basic but nothing happens unless you know what you are doing. There is more to it than meets the eye."

Mr Hugill said the community scheme could help if the bell-ringers wanted to learn more in the future.

He added that if other communities came up with similar ideas, he would be glad to consider them.

As the lessons drew to a close yesterday, Coun Randles said: "There has been a great atmosphere at the lessons. People have found it great fun. There is now no need for us to be short of bell-ringers for any event."