Watch as 60ft crane lifts eight out of tune bells from Hartlepool church for first time in over 100 years

Eight bells that have been out of tune for 115 years were lifted out of All Saints Church at Stranton by a 60ft crane and gently lowered onto the back of a lorry.

They are now on their way to a specialist foundry in Loughborough, in Leicestershire, where they will be refurbished and retuned.

A lot of planning went into the operation and a window in the bell tower had to be removed several weeks ago as it was the only way the bells could be taken out.

Ten people were involved in the painstaking removal of the bells on Thursday, July 14, watched by bystanders and schoolchildren from Ward Jackson Primary School.

Surrounding roads were closed off and access to the church restricted while the three-hour operation was carried out.

Bellringer and project manager Andrew Frost said: “We informed the children of the fact that they will never see this again in Hartlepool, certainly not in this church as they are not due to come out again for over 100 years so it is very significant.

"The removal and whole week went really well. There’s been a whole bunch of bellringers and volunteers from the church helping the bell hanger to get everything ready.

"We hope they will be back sometime towards the end of October.

“We are very much looking forward to seeing them restored to their former glory and hearing them ring – in tune."

One of the bells dates from 1599.