OXFORD’S St Giles’ will be somewhat quieter on Sundays for the next few months after the church bells are removed for retuning.

All eight bells at St Giles’ Church are due to be taken away today to have their tones tweaked by experts in London.

They will be taken out through the north window of the bell chamber and to the ground via scaffolding.

The 13th century church in Woodstock Road has a bell cast in 1632, five from 1850 and two from 1927. They can usually be heard for 40 minutes at 10.30am and 6.30pm on Sundays, along with Thursday evening practices and at weddings and other special occasions.

Former car worker and bellringer Bernard Masterman, from Botley, has given £27,000 towards the £56,000 bill and donations are being sought for the final £2,000.

Tower captain John Pusey said the bells’ musical quality had been “increasingly criticised” compared to other church bells in the city.

He said: “This climate of unfavourable comparison is probably a major reason why it has become noticeably more difficult to attract and retain ringers at St Giles’ in recent years.”

He joked: “Some might appreciate the peace and quiet!”