Westhoughton Tower Bellringers will sound a Quarter Peal on Friday to mark Her Majesty the Queen's historic milestone of 70 years on the throne.

Tower Captain Ryan Battersby told The Bolton News: "We will be joining bellringers up and down the country to celebrate this historic occasion.

"There will be 1,200 changes and it will take place at 4pm."

Westhoughton Tower Bellringers, based at St Bartholomew's Church, rang the quarter peal on Sunday, February in 42 minutes to mark Accession Day.

In response the bellringers received a letter and card from Windsor Castle on behalf of Her Majesty The Queen, who thanked the team for their efforts on Accession Day

Ryan said: "The note and the card means a lot because of whom it has come from."

In 1930, the church bells were recast by John Taylor’s bell foundry; they remain one of the finest sets of eight bells in Lancashire.

The bells have rang out in their church their recast version since then; each bell is inscribed noting the generosity of the donors who funded the works.

Some popular Westhoughton names can be found, with some families still having links to the church in 2022.

Recently Cllr Linda Thomas, deputy Mayor of Bolton, visited the bellringers just before her term as Mayor of Bolton came to an end.

Ryan said: "We were delighted to welcome Cllr Thomas to the tower to explain our ancient pastime and it’s importance and history. She acknowledged how bellringing has played a part in the fabric of the Westhoughton community for over 150 years, and her kind words are appreciated.

"She was a natural when she had a try herself."