FOR the first time in 20 years, pupils at a primary school in Somerset rang their newly-restored bell.

Pupils, parents, carers and staff at West Huntspill Primary Academy and East Huntspill Primary Academy in Somerset were delighted to be able to ring the bells again.

A restoration project over the summer saw 30 hours of hand polishing on the East Bell, not used for 10 years, and a new West Bell, which was last used 20 years ago.

Burnham and Highbridge Weekly News: NEWLY RESTORED BELLS: West Huntspill Primary Academy and East Huntspill  Primary Academy in Somerset rang their refurbished bells

Principal Steve Davis said: “We are really delighted to have the bells back and working. It was great to try it out with the children.

“They are really excited to hear it every day. It is part of the history of the school community.”

Experts who restored the bells also made sure the canopy was safe and that the mechanism works properly.

Burnham and Highbridge Weekly News: NEWLY RESTORED BELLS: West Huntspill Primary Academy and East Huntspill  Primary Academy in Somerset rang their refurbished bells

The whole project took around 10 days with staff from across The Priory Learning Trust (TPLT lending a hand.

Both schools became part of TPLT earlier this year.

Lisa Dadds, head of primary education at TPLT, said: “The bells have proved extremely popular.

“It is wonderful to have both schools as part of our TPLT family.”