THE bells are back.

These six ringers were permitted to ring the cathedral bells prior to the first morning service on Sunday in Winchester Cathedral since the lockdown in mid-March.

This is the first time the cathedral bells have been rung since Sunday March 15, the longest period bells have been silent since World War Two between 1939 and 1945.

Extensive planning and preparations were required, with adherence to Covid-19 guidance published by the Central Council of Church Bell Ringers, in partnership with the Church of England and Public Health England.

To comply with the requirement for maintaining a minimum distance of two metres between each bell ringer, even in the cathedral’s cavernous belfry, only six bells could be rung.

Ringers are required to wear face masks and ringing is only permitted for 15 minutes prior to the cathedral’s weekly service of Holy Communion at 10am.

The photo was taken after the bell-ringing.