Bell ringers celebrated their 125th anniversary with a three hour chiming vigil – but not everyone found their display so a-peeling.

Some residents were less than impressed with members of the Sussex County Association of Change Ringers carrying out a complete peel on the bells of St Leonards Church in Hove for almost three hours.

The group celebrated their anniversary with six bell ringers from around the county performing continuously at the church in New Church Road, the only church in Hove with bells.

Notices were stuck up outside the church and 300 leaflets were put through letterboxes by the group warning residents that they would be ringing the church’s bells, the heaviest of which weighs half a ton, yesterday afternoon (Friday).

Change Ringers member Rowena Watson, 53, said: “Because the church is in a built-up area, we’ve not done a peel for donkey’s years because of the residents so this is a complete one-off.

“The peel is only really played during really special occasions such as Royal weddings so this is quite an event for the church.

“We may get a few complaints but we hope not, most people are going to be at work or on Easter holiday.

“Bell ringing is traditional, it is as English as cricket and Morris dancing.”

The group are aiming to ring a peel at every church in Sussex during their anniversary year but their celebrations were not to the taste of everyone.

Johnny Allen of Law Scaffolding was working at a home directly opposite in New Church Road.

He said: “It’s noise pollution.

“We’ve been working out here all day having to put up with this and I’m not happy about it.”

English language student Peter As, 35 from St Leonards Gardens, said: “This is too much.

“Every Sunday I have to put up with them ringing the bells at 9am for half an hour.

“I can cope with half an hour but three hours, I can’t concentrate or enjoy my day.”

Some neighbours however supported the bell-ringing epic.

Stephanie James, in New Church Road, said: “I don’t mind it at all, it’s a one-off thing and they did put a leaflet through the door explaining it.

“People shouldn’t live near churches if they don’t like bells.”