THE region’s oldest set of bells have been returned to their church tower home, following a £100,000 revamp.

The 300-year-old bells of St Nicholas’ Church have been absent from Durham Market Place since May, when they were removed for restoration at London’s Whitechapel Bell Foundry.

But they will soon sound again, after each of the bells was carefully lifted back into place on Monday lunchtime.

A crowd of shoppers and workers on lunch breaks gathered to watch the process, which lasted about 90 minutes.

Dorothy Nicholas, secretary of St Nicholas’ Church bell restoration project, said: "It’s been a very exciting day.

"It’s going to take three weeks to finish the work so we hope to ring them by the end of November.

"We’re very excited that the bells are back safely and we’re looking forward to ringing them again."

Five of the copper and tin bells date from 1687 while the smallest, a treble, is Victorian. They weigh between 200 and 500kg.

The bells have been cleaned, re-tuned and refitted with new steel frames and wooden wheels and pulleys.

Having been silent through the Eighties and Nineties, the bells underwent minor repair, allowing them to be sounded again from 2000.

However, ringers always knew more far-reaching renovation was required and launched a fundraising campaign.

Their efforts have included exhibitions, school visits and talks, raising the profile of the bells and the church in the city.

A service to celebrate the bells’ return is planned for St Nicholas’ Church on January 30 at 2.30pm. It is hoped ringers from across the country will attend and the bells will be rung before and after the service.

For more information about the bells or ringing, call 0191-384-1180.