VIDEO THE sound of bells could be heard reverberating through the air around Ipswich docks today, but far from an August wedding in the rain or an emergency alarm calling, it was just a group of touring bell ringers enjoying themselves.

THE sound of bells could be heard reverberating through the air around Ipswich docks today.

However, far from an August wedding in the rain or an emergency alarm calling, it was just a group of touring bell ringers enjoying themselves.

The mysterious ringing was traced back to St Mary at the Quay Church, on Key street, where a group of 20 bell ringers from all corners of the country could be found.

The bell ringers - with the youngest being 19 - are touring churches in Suffolk this week.

Peter Triplow, 35, from Birmingham, explained they were a group of friends that met while enjoying their hobby of bell-ringing and now organise trips together around England.

This one was entitled “The second great trip to Suffolk”.

Mr Triplow, the group's organiser, has an affinity with Ipswich after being born there.

He said: “We're just having a fun day out in Ipswich.

“We got here at this church at just gone 12pm and we will be spending half an hour ringing in each one.”

Ben Gooch, who came to Ipswich from Gloucester, said: “We just like bell ringing. We are a dying breed, unfortunately, but it is a very good hobby and more people should try to do it.”

The bell ringers were on a whistle-stop tour of Ipswich's churches today, moving from Ipswich at 4pm to Tuddenham St Martin, then Hasketon, Ashbocking and finishing in Coddenham at 7pm tonight.

So, for the workers and shoppers around Ipswich there will be the sound of bells for a while yet.