Furness churches join national bell ringing to show support for Notre Dame Cathedral

St James’ Church, in Blake Street, Barrow; St Mary’s Church in Dalton; Ulverston Parish Church and St Mary’s on Walney were among dozens who came together for the national toll of bells.

The initiative was suggested by the British Ambassador to France, Edward Llewellyn, and won the backing of both the Archbishops of Canterbury and York.

A single bell was tolled in churches for seven minutes from 7pm.

St James’ Tower Captain Andy Pollock said: “I think it will be fairly widespread across the country and possibly further afield.

“Notre Dame is famous for its own bell and is an iconic building with a lot of religious history.

“We all want to come together and join in solidarity with those in France.

“It is good to see churches coming together, especially at this time of the year with Easter coming up which is of course one of the most important days of the year.

“It has been quite a thing to see the response, seeing everyone want to pull together.”

Ruth Crossley, vicar at St Mary’s in Dalton, said: “I think it is a good thing to toll the bells to remember.

“The response to what has happened in Paris has been remarkable, the way people have felt such passion for a place that forms such a key part of France’s religious history.

“I think it is a big thing to see churches across the country come together.”

Bell ringers in Furness were joined by various Cumbrian churches, including St Mary’s at Ambleside, Holy Trinity at Langdale and St Martin’s at Windermere.

France has paid a day-long tribute to the Paris firefighters who saved the famous cathedral from collapse and rescued its treasures.

Construction workers rushed to secure an area above one of the church's famed rose-shaped windows and other vulnerable sections of the fire-damaged landmark.

President Emmanuel Macron held a ceremony at the Elysee Palace to thank the hundreds of firefighters who battled the fast-moving fire for nine hours.