BELLS at Dorchester's Corn Exchange will fall silent for essential repairs.

The bespoke metal strapwork that holds the bells in place needs to be replaced and the hammer mechanism refurbished, according to Dorchester Town Council.

Said town clerk, Steve Newman: "Due to the specialist nature of this work, it will not be able to be completed until June next year and, as a precaution, the bells will be switched off until that work has been completed.

It is hoped that the bells will be able to be switched on to allow them to be heard striking in the New Year at midnight on New Years eve."

The bells were manufactured by John Taylor of Loughborough and fitted in the newly erected clock tower, known as Galpin's folly in 1864.

Town Mayor, Cllr Robin Potter said :"The tower is called Galpin's folly because many people feared it would collapse – with its bells – soon after it was built. I think over 150 years is pretty good!

"It will be a shame for anyone in town not to be able to hear the regular chimes for the next few months, but it will be worth it to make them safe for the next decades. I do hope we can have them on for the special event of New Year to time the celebrations correctly."