The bells at a north Norfolk church are ringing out for the first time in four years, marking the final phase in a £230,000, Heritage Lottery-funded restoration project.

History-steeped All Saints Church, at Wighton, near Wells-next-the-Sea, was re-opened in April by the Bishop of Norwich after being closed for six months for vital repairs.

The Grade 1 listed, 15th century church lost its tower after a storm in 1965, but, thanks to the generosity of a Cananadian whose ancestors are buried in the churchyard, this was rebuilt in 1976.

North Norfolk News: Historic All Saints Church, Wighton, which has undergone a £230,000 restoration project. Picture: Matthew Usher.Historic All Saints Church, Wighton, which has undergone a £230,000 restoration project. Picture: Matthew Usher. (Image: © ARCHANT NORFOLK 2013)

However, the tower had been damaged in recent years by birds roosting inside the belfry and it has undergone a deep clean, as well as being made pigeon proof.

A band of Wells bellringers rang the newly-refurbished bells for the first time at a Harvest Festival service.

North Norfolk News: All Saints Church, Wighton, which has undergone a £230,000 restoration project. Picture: Matthew Usher.All Saints Church, Wighton, which has undergone a £230,000 restoration project. Picture: Matthew Usher. (Image: © ARCHANT NORFOLK 2013)

Team member Chris Richmond said: 'We had quite a few visitors to the belfry tell us how lovely it was to hear the bells again, and comments on the Wighton village Facebook page have been really positive.'