At the age of 80, Doug Jordan plans to carry on bell-ringing at St Matthew's Church, Harwell.

But after being a member of the church's 'band' for 65 years, he has stepped down as captain of the tower for the second time.

Mr Jordan at St Matthew's Church

Mr Jordan is succeeded by the first woman captain at St Matthew's, Ann Gardiner, who has been a ringer for 15 years and was a former captain of the tower at St Mary's, Wallingford.

Apart from a life-long love of bell-ringing, Mr Jordan said the mental and physical exercise of bell-ringing keeps him fit, following a heart bypass in 1987.

The Rector, the Rev Chris Stott, described Mr Jordan's exceptional service to St Matthew's as an outstanding example to young people.

A retired builder, Mr Jordan is still responsible for supervising much of the repairs to the parish church.

Mr Stott said: "There is nothing Doug does not know about the church, and he is a great people manager."

Mr Jordan who is among several generations of bell-ringers in his family, said: "For a young man, bell-ringing was a focal point in our lives at a time when there was nothing much else to do.

"There was a lot of camaraderie."

He will climb the 65ft-high 13th century belltower on November 30 to supervise hauling up a Christmas tree. He will also be Santa Claus for the 40th year at the church hall children's party on December 14.