TWO years of silence in a village near York has been broken in time for Christmas - and it's all down to a pair of extra long ladders and a team of helpful firefighters.

Residents of Askham Richard have not been able to enjoy the peel of the church bell at St Mary's since a chain came off the wheel and it broke.

That was blamed on an over exuberant ringer pulling the rope too hard at a wedding, sending the bell spinning 360 degrees.

Villagers were left high and dry when they tried to fix the damage as they could not find ladders long enough to allow someone to untangle the chains.

But when all hope seemed lost a quick-thinking parishioner decided to call the fire brigade.

Community-spirited officers from Acomb White Watch - more used to tackling house blazes and attending road smashes - came to the rescue with a 45ft ladder (14metres).

Resident Rita Prestwich said it was a "spur of the moment" idea to phone the brigade. Luckily she phoned the day before a village fire inspection.

"I remembered the fire brigade used to rescue cats and I thought, they could help us out," said the 76-year-old.

"I was so thrilled by their response. They were so kind and it was lovely to hear the bell ringing again on Sunday."

The return of the chimes holds a special place in the heart of the parochial church council member, who has lived in the village for nearly 30 years.

For her late husband, David, who died this summer, was one of the villagers who had previously rung the bell.

She thanked the Acomb firefighters for their kind-hearted gesture.

Station sub-officer Dick Marlein said firefighters climbed a ladder before reconnecting the chain, which had been caught in stonework, to the bell wheel.

"I've never had to deal with something like this before," he said. "We like to help and we could tell the woman who asked us was over the moon. It meant so much for the parishioners."

Updated: 10:00 Wednesday, December 22, 2004