The tradition of church bell ringing is facing a recruitment crisis and could soon be no more.
A survey has found the majority of church leaders are struggling to find people to take up the sport.
The research, by the BBC, found that three quarters of delegates to the annual conference of the Central Council of Church Bell Ringers had struggled over the past decade to attract new members.
Most of those asked said they had particular trouble attracting young people to bell ringing.
Declining church attendances was partly responsible for the recruitment crisis, said just over half of those asked.
Other reasons include more things for people to spend their time on and it not being seen as cool.
There's a call for churches to do more to promote the hobby.
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Article by Antony Bushfield
Antony Bushfield is a multimedia journalist for Premier.
