A programme of repairs is about to begin at a church which dates back to Saxon times.

Experts will today start to remove the four bells from the tower of St Andrew's Church at Middleton, near Pickering.

They will then begin a complete overhaul of the tower, which includes the removal of the bell installation and the complete repointing of the inside of the tower.

The project also includes replacement of some of the floors and the installation of a new bell frame, at a lower level in the tower.

The bells - one of which dates back to 1663 and was cast by Samuel Smith, of York - are believed only to have been out of the tower twice before.

The last occasion was in 1926 when the largest bell - also by Samuel Smith - was recast by John Taylor Bellfounders, of Loughborough. The other two bells, cast in 1765, were also rehung at that time.

The cost of all the improvements and restoration is expected to be about £165,000 and an appeal was launched in November to raise the cash.

John Arthur, churchwarden and leader of the bell-ringers, said: "The news that this scheme is going ahead is a tribute to the tremendous support given to the bell-ringers of the church.

"When completed, there will be a much more musical ring which will benefit both those outside and the ringers. The work being carried out will also strengthen the Saxon tower.

"We hope that other grant-making bodies will assist us in the remaining and urgent repairs which are also needed to other parts of the church fabric."