A SPECIAL peal of bells is set to ring out to commemorate the Old Rivingtonians' centenary year.

The association of former pupils and staff of Rivington and Blackrod High School was founded in 1904 and several events have been organised to mark the occasion, including a gala dinner reunion on October 8, and a centenary reunion service at the school chapel on Sunday, October 10.

In addition, there will be a peal of bells by a team of six specialist bell ringers - including past pupils - at St Katharine's Church in Blackrod, at 3pm on Saturday, October 9. Technically known as an Oxford Treble Bob Minor, and also known as a quarter peal, it will involve 1,272 changes during a ringing period of 45 minutes.

Leading the team will be former Rivington and Blackrod pupil and experienced campanologist Jim Andrews, from Westhoughton.

Mr Andrews began learning the skill at St Bartholomew's Parish Church, Westhoughton, when he was 12, and now rings there every weekend.

He has also rung bells at various churches and cathedrals across the country, including St Paul's Cathedral in London and intends to include other former pupils in the ringing team on October 9.

Mr Andrews was also in the ringing team at Horwich Parish Church in 1966, when a full peal of bells marked the church's 400th anniversary of its foundation in 1566.

He said: "It was actually my idea to have the bells for the anniversary. It seemed fitting as we had done it for the quarter-centenary to do it again, only we had to change venues because the Horwich bells are awaiting refurbishment."