The six bells had hung in the brick tower of All Saints Church in Litcham, near Dereham since the 17th century.

But they have now been removed and sent for restoration following a £135,000 grant from the National Heritage Fund.

The work was undertaken by bellhangers Whites of Appleton, which will now take the bells, four of which are listed as being of historical importance, back to Oxfordshire for repairs.

Work is expected to take three to four months.

The bells being taken away (Image: Tim Angell)

The last major renovations were carried out at the church in 1914 when the fifth bell was recast, but bellringer Tim Ansell said “they........

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