An iconic church in Cambridgeshire says its broken bells have put couples off getting married there.
The bells at St Wendreda’s, March, have not rung since 2022, due to a damaged spire.
The building itself is unique, as it bears centuries-old carvings of angels on the roof.
However, Vicar Rev Ruth Clay says the silent bells are putting couples off to getting married in the building. She told the BBC: “It's really sad when I have to tell a couple that we can't ring the bells... and perhaps, they might think that they should go somewhere else."
Weddings are often a vital way for churches to raise maintenance funds. Yet Rev Clay is undeterred. Branded flasks, jigsaws and postcards bearing an illustration of the church have been sold in a bid to get the spire fixed and the chimes back in action. The church has put in bids for charity grants, and received crowdfunding donations from as far away as Australia.
Local bellringer, Andrew Goakes, is the fifth generation in his family to ring the St Wendreda bells. He says that residents are keen to hear them peal again.
"I really miss ringing the bells at St Wendreda's," he said.
"To keep my hand in I ring at other local churches, but it'll be good to make music here once again."