FEW other sounds can conjure images of rural England more than ringing bells from a parish church. 

As reported in recent weeks however, a Teignbridge village has fallen silent due to one single noise complaint over the iconic sound. 

News of the recently enforced silence has been met with a chorus of disapproval - nationwide - as some locals in the village of Kenton pray for their return.Teignbridge Council said its hands were tied.

 It said it was  forced to act due to the rules surrounding noise complaints, that apparently, offered no divine exemption. All Saints Church in Kenton,  has been sounding off since 1910, before the first official complaint over its chimes recently.

Mike Adams, a bellringer at All Saints Church, called it ‘another nail in the coffin of a failing village.’

He suggested that those bothered by the sound ought to move to the city. The story has struck a chord with the national papers.

Teignbridge Council have confirmed that the church had ‘chosen’ to stop ringing the bells and that they were working with them to find a ‘satisfactory solution.’