AT just after 10am, the bells at St Mary Magdalene Church in Potter Street began to ring.

Church bells across England will ring for an hour on Monday in the run up to the Queen’s funeral.

Church of England guidance states that the Royal Household has requested that parishes toll their bells from 10am to 11am. Queen Elizabeth II was head of the church.

Information from the Central Council of Church Bell Ringers states: “On the day of the funeral bells should be tolled for the hour immediately prior to the time of the Funeral Service. This may afford those an opportunity to ring a quarter peal, but general ringing or tolling would be acceptable.”