A BELATED welcome will be provided for New Zealand exchange vicar John Blundell from the bellringers of Ledbury Parish Church.

A welcoming peal of bells last October was postponed because of damage to the bellframe.

Now the Ledbury Ringers are hopeful that repairs will have been carried out by February 14 or 21, so that Mr Blundell and his wife, Jenny, will be able to take home with them the memory of a peal of grandsire triples.

This bell-ringing feat will last for about three hours.

Mr Blundell's last service at St Michael and All Angels' Church takes place on Sunday, February 29, at 9.30am.

Ledbury rector Colin Beevers, who is currently looking after Mr Blundell's parish in Auckland, New Zealand, will be back by Easter.