TWO historic bells have been removed from a York city centre church to be restored to their former glory.

The bells at St Helen’s Church in St Helen’s Square, which date back to 1621 and 1628 and are attributed to York bell foundry William Oldfield, have been out of action since the early 1990s.

They were removed yesterday by the Whitechapel foundry, which will conserve them and return them in March in a new bell frame.

They will be able to ring again for services but will also be programmed to announce the time through quarterly chimes and striking the hours, said church warden Anthony Hammersley.

Anyone wanting to help the parochial church council meet the £20,000 cost of the project can make a donation by texting SHSM14£xx to 70070.

Alternatively, send a cheque c/o the Reverend EJ Nattrass, 52 Bootham, York, YO30 7BZ.