Nurden

Still gong strong at 87 - Fred Nurden outside Dumbleton village church.

THE BEST-KNOWN bell-ringer in Gloucestershire is soon to celebrate his 87th birthday - but has no plans to sound the knell on his life-long hobby.

Fred Nurden - who rings the changes at Dumbleton village church taught himself the tricky art from ?books? and has been rewarded with best accolade. He is entitled to ring the bells of St. Paul's Cathedral in London.

He first started ringing at the age of 19. "I don't manage so many sessions these days," he said. "but I do enjoy a good wedding"

Fred rang his first peal in 1921, since then he has taught all the village bell-ringers.

He has lived in the villaze all life.