Brexit ding dong as Swaffham vicar rules out ringing church bells to herald leaving EU

A market town in Norfolk has refused to ring the bells to celebrate Brexit after a local vicar described the idea as "deeply inappropriate."

Swaffham councillor Lindsay Beech had proposed ringing the bells at the town's 15th century St Peter and St Paul Church at 11pm on January 31, signalling the moment when Britain officially leaves the European Union.

But vicar of the parish church the Rev Janet Allan has firmly ruled out the idea.

The Rev Allen said Brexit was a political issue that had deeply divided us as a nation, and churches should be hopefully focused on trying to bring everybody together.

Richard Bishop, clerk at the town council, said: "Some members of the public had made the suggestion in the first place, so the councillor concerned was just bringing the matter to the council's attention. We took Rev Allan's input to the meeting and the council decided not to pursue the proposal on similar grounds.

The Diocese of Norwich has left its 650 churches in Norfolk and Waveney to make up their own minds about ringing bells to mark Brexit - but it has encouraged parishes to keep their Christian ethos in mind.

A spokesman said: "The Diocese of Norwich has no policy on the ringing of church bells for Brexit. We would encourage consideration of the wider feelings of the local community, recognising the variety of views. Our Christian response is always one of hope and reconciliation."