THE bells will be ringing at St Thomas' Church after they received a cash boost towards the cost of lighting the tower.

Low energy lights that give out a yellowy white glow will be installed to emphasise the listed building's beauty.

Costing more than £5,890, the lights were paid for after the Rev Michael Ridley appealed to Stockton Heath Parish Council for a grant in January.

Clr Graham Roughsedge announced that the grant had been successful, confirming that £500 was to be given towards the light funding.

The Rev Ridley, said: "They will be light sensitive and only come on at dusk and timed to go off at midnight."

The London Road Church also received a donation of £200 from Stockton Heath Alternative Residents' Council after the money was raised on a Burns Night Celidh at St Thomas' Church Hall on January 27.

SHARCs member, Stephen Taylor, said: "We decided to make the donation because it's a particularly historical building and sustains the village heritage.""