DOES this ring a bell and appeal to you?

Officials at Romsey Abbey are giving young people a chance to train as bellringers at the town’s best-known landmark.

And they are running a five-day course at the Abbey in August in a bid to get more youngsters to learn the art of bell-ringing.

The Bellringing Summer School, as it will be known, aims to teach year seven and eight schoolchildren the basic techniques in ringing which has been described as similar to learning to play a musical instrument and it involves physical coordination alongside mental skills.

The course will be run from Monday August 10 to Friday August 14 between 9:30am and 4pm. Experienced bellringing tutors from Romsey and the surrounding area will be leading the course. Places on the course are limited to eight due to the one-to-one tuition that is needed.

Urging youngsters to take up the ropes, Romsey Abbey bell tower captain Caroline Daniels said that “running an intensive ringing course is a new venture for the Abbey bell-ringers.

"We have planned a busy week with lots of interesting activities for the youngsters and hope it will be the starting point for bellringers of the future.”

Romsey’s vicar, Rev Tim Sledge explained that the bell-ringing lessons were a good way for children to enjoy their school summer holidays.

“For hundreds of years, the Abbey bells have been one of the most familiar and well-loved sounds of the town.

"This fabulous summer school is a brilliant way to keep that going, but also a great way to learn a skill which is great fun with great people.

"I wish something like this had been around when I was younger,” said Mr Sledge.

Officials say the bellringing course could count towards young people’s Duke of Edinburgh Award certificates because of the skills involved and also the the voluntary section of the challenge.

Anyone who would like a place is advised to book now. Email info@rabss.org.uk or go on the website www.rabss.org.uk.

Alternatively contact 01794 513125.