BELLRINGER Mavis Wilson had to rescued by firemen and paramedics after a freak accident left her dangling seven feet in the air in a church bell tower.

Pensioner Mavis, 62, became entangled in her bell-pull rope during bell ringing practice in the belfry of St Helens Parish Church, Church Street,last Saturday night.

She was lifted off her feet by the force of the bells but then fell, injuring her right arm and both hips.

Ambulance staff on the scene secured the plucky pensioner,who then had to be lowered to safety from the church roof on a hydraulic lift because the spiral staircase was too narrow for a stretcher.

Mavis was later taken to Whiston Hospital, where her condition was described as "comfortable."

A spokesperson for the Ambulance service said: "It's not very often we see something like this, but the lady was very brave and managed to remain cheeful throughout the whole ordeal."

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