They have been silent for more than a century, but a village's church bells could ring out once more.

Locals in Hindringham have launched a campaign to carry out repairs to St Martin's church tower and install new, lighter bells.

The village had to stop using the bells several decades ago because of concerns that the tower was not strong enough to cope with the weight of them being rung.

But the Friends of Hindringham Church are aiming to raise £1.1m to get them ringing once more. They launched the campaign a year ago and are moving in to the next stage.

The group are determined to see the church bells ring once moreThe group are determined to see the church bells ring once more (Image: Denise Bradley)

Helen McKenzie, a bell-ringer and member of the group, said the village had suffered from the silenced bells.

"Non-bell ringers have no idea how many times we are called upon to celebrate or commemorate events in our lives," she said.

"Sunday services, funerals, anniversaries, national and international events, even celebrating Norwich City going back into the Premier League. There are lots of reasons to ring the bells."

She said the renovation project was "three pronged", starting with the restoration of the tower.

Then, lighter bells could be installed, and, finally, a kitchen and toilet added, to allow more groups to use the building.

"The extent of the church's disrepair has put it on the Heritage at Risk register, so the essential tower repairs are the first priority," Mrs McKenzie said.

Three of the five bells still hanging in the tower are cracked and will need replacing with lighter ones.

The group's fundraising target is an ambitious one and remains far off.

Villagers have so far raised £9,000 and have received a £50,000 legacy from a local.

The next stage is to apply for a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

The group hopes to have the repairs completed by the end of the decade.