5:20pm Monday 8th February 2010
By Paul Holden
Retired farm worker Frank Brooks could be the oldest church bell ringer in Britain.
He is just under five months short of his 100th birthday, but still pulls the ropes at St Mary's Church in Washington village, north of Worthing.
Frank, who will collect his telegram from the Queen on June 14, still rings the bells on Tuesdays and Sundays.
But he admitted: βI do about five minutes and then the old back starts aching a bit.β
Frank took up bell ringing in 1945 after returning from the Second World War.
The Rev Chris Maclay, vicar of the parish, said: βHe is a total institution in the village, and is very very committed to both the church and the bells.β
Do you know an older bell ringer than Frank? Call the newsdesk on 01273 544519 or tell us at theargus.co.uk/news
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