Ryedale campanologist Kirsty Watts aims to keep the bells of her local church ringing, by taking part in the gruelling Great North Run next month.

For Kirsty is raising money through sponsorship to provide the ancient parish church of All Saints, Kirkbymoorside, with six much-needed new bell ropes. Her 'Running for Rope' appeal has already been given a £130 boost by Kirkbymoorside Town Council, and a further £200 which she and friends raised with a big cake stall in the Market Place.

"The bells urgently need new ropes but the church council could not afford to fund them so I decided to set about raising the money," said Kirsty, who raised money for the Ryedale Folk Museum at Hutton-le-Hole in last year's run at Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

As well as pealing the bells for services and weddings, the award-winning eight-strong team also trains youngsters in the skills for scout and guide badges.

"We also train anyone who is interested in joining the team because we have just eight ringers and six bells, and often someone can be away on holiday or absent through illness, business or at university," said Kirsty, who is an accomplished jogger, and part of a team of women runners in Kirkbymoorside.

The present bell ropes have worn out as a result of some 20 years of ringing since they were last replaced.

"I intend completing the Great North Run with a bellrope around my neck and I am hoping to raise sufficient money to enable all the ropes to be replaced but it will cost around £1000."

If anyone would like to support Kirsty, she can be contacted on (01751) 431199.

Updated: 08:57 Thursday, August 30, 2001