THE historic bells of Chagford Parish Church will fall uncharacteristically silent for the next few months as they have been removed for refurbishment for the first time since 1914.

The bells of the Church of St Michael the Archangel were removed recently in order for much needed renovation.

The bells, which are over a century old, have been shipped to the John Taylor and Co bell foundry in Loughborough to be cleaned and updated.

The church has been busy fundraising for the project which is estimated to cost around £75,000.

Grants were also given to the church from various benefactors, including £10,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund and £7,400 from the Devon Church Bell Restoration Fund.

Church representative Colin Barnes said: ‘We received grants and the church has done a lot of fundraising.

‘There have been lots of generous donations made by friends of The Church of St Michael the Archangel.’

The bells were recast a century ago during the first year of the First World War and the renovation to the church will take place over the next few months.

Colin added: ‘The bells themselves are in excellent condition, however, there is much needed work to be done to the mechanisms.

‘The current headstock, which is part used to hang the bell, is made out of wood and will be replaced with cast iron.

‘The frame within the tower is made of oak, and this will also be replaced with cast iron.’

The bells are not expecting to be back in the church until January 2017, meaning that there will be no ringing of the bells at services, and there will also be no clock chime for the time being.