THE bell at a village church is ringing for the first time in six-and-a-half years, thanks to firefighters and a sponsored slim by the congregation.

A new clanger for the bell at St Matthew's Church, Borstal, near Rochester was fitted to its bell after kind-hearted firefighters lent a hand and a ladder to enable it to be put in.

The old clanger disintegrated years ago and the congregation wanted to get a new one in time for when their new vicar arrives at the church later this year.

Ladies at the church decided they would do a sponsored slim to raise the £260 needed for the clanger, which was put in place with the help of a height-vehicle ladder, from Medway fire station.

At the resurrection on Wednesday, school children came along in mass from the nearby Pilgrim School, in Warwick Crescent, not only to see the clanger being put in place, but also to hand the firefighters a giant cheque for the service's benevolent fund.

Church warden Alison Robinson, said: "It's a historic day for the church, it's very special.

"We had a sponsored slim to raise the cash for the clanger as they are quite expensive. We invited the school to present the cheque and we held a talk in church about bell ringing.

"We are pleased the fire service came to our aid with their extendable ladder, and one good turn deserves another, so we were happy to donate £100 to them for the benevolent fund."

Tim Ryan, green watch manager, said: "It's nice to help out in the community, and to be rewarded is an added bonus.

"We're grateful for the donation, but we would have done it for nothing."