COMMUNITY leaders are hoping to raise £18,000 to buy a bell for repatriation ceremonies.

The memorial bell would ring as fallen soldiers pass by the memorial garden in Norton Way, Brize Norton.

It aims to replicate the bell that rings at the repatriation ceremonies which currently take place in Wootton Bassett, Wiltshire.

The ceremonies will move to RAF Brize Norton when RAF Lyneham closes in September.

The scheme has been planned by Oxfordshire County Council, West Oxfordshire District Council, Carterton Town Council, Brize Norton Parish Council and the Oxfordshire branch of the Royal British Legion (RBL).

Representatives visited a London bell foundry recently to help them choose the bell.

It will weigh 644 pounds and will be installed opposite the memorial garden currently being built.

It will be cast by the Whitechapel Bell Foundry, which cast Big Ben at the Houses of Parliament.

RBL member Steve Radband, of Bampton, whose son Lance Corporal David Radband is on his third tour in Afghanistan, said: “We listened to a number of bells during our visit and as soon as I heard the bell we have selected I knew it was the right one.”

Oxfordshire RBL chairman Mike Henderson said: “The memorial bell will ensure repatriations in Oxfordshire are dignified.

“We want to work with the community to raise the funds needed.”

Carterton deputy mayor Adrian Coomber said of Wootton Bassett’s bell: “It really creates an atmosphere.”

* To donate to the bell campaign, visit localgiving.com/memorialbellappeal