GREAT Malvern Priory is set for a new era as refurbishment work is due to begin, after a show of "incredible" community spirit.

The monastery's support beams, bells and clock are all set to be rejuvenated, with another two clocks added, to ensure it is transformed into a ten bell tower which will also be used as a training facility to teach the new generation of bell ringers.

The Great Malvern Priory Bell Project began around two years ago, and along with Government funds, around £220,000 has already been raised to complete the project through generous donations and fund-raising events.

Trevor Still, Chairman of the Bell Frame Funding Group and project manager of the work, said: "Original estimates for the work have really escalated, but thanks to grants and the incredible support from everyone we have managed to get enough money to get the work underway.

"Several of the bells needed re-tuning and all of them will be refurbished, as they have never had any maintenance. Some are from the 14th century.

"The steel support beams need to be installed, as while we can't replace the current bell frame, we need to give it better support as the bells are causing damage to the monastery and are hard to ring, because they are not in place sufficiently.

"It's been a hard two years getting this all sorted, but now it's going to go ahead, it feels like a massive achievement.

"When the work is completed and the priory re-opens, it will be the beginning of a new era. These are very exciting times."

The installation of an almost soundless dumb bell will allow for greater standards of teaching, as the current bell ringers look for people to take over the reigns.

Mr Still said: "With the bells out of tune and the beams not being strong enough, it has made teaching hard and some people have dropped out of courses because of it.

"We need to encourage more people to learn how to ring the bells. They were difficult to ring before, but will be much easier in the future.

"The need to inspire the next generation of bell ringers was really the driving force for this project."

The bells and clock will be taken out of the priory in February, with the work hoped to be completed by September next year.

The Great Malvern Priory Bell Ringers will be ringing the New Year in on January 1, which will be their last show before the bells and clock are taken down.

Despite the work planned to start, around £10,000 is still needed to finish paying for it.

The money will be used to cover the organ protecting it from damage during the restoration work, scaffolding and re-decorating the priory once the work is finished.

To donate go to greatmalvernpriory.org.uk