AN over-enthusiastic bell ringer had to be rescued from a Loughton church tower last night after being dragged up by a bell rope.

The 14-year-old ringer held on to his bell rope too tightly during bell ringing practice and found himself pulled up into the loft of St John's Church, Church Lane, at about 7.30pm.

A Harlow firefighter who attended the scene said: "Apparently the youth held on to the bell too long and went up with it into the bell tower. On the way up he let go and fell onto a platform area in the loft space and suffered thigh, ankle and wrist injuries.

"The only way in and out of the tower was via a tight spiral staircase so in the end we didn't need to use the aerial ladder platform. We strapped the boy to a rescue stretcher - similar to those used in climbing incidents - and lowered him down slowly, step by step.

"A crew secured a line to the stretcher to make sure he was safe on the way down and another team was at the bottom of the staircase to ensure the safety of the rescuers."

The boy was taken by ambulance to Whipps Cross Hospital, Leytonstone, after complaining of hand and wrist injuries, and of pain down his left side after his 10ft fall.

Do you know the boy involved? Ring our newsroom on 01992 564103 or text 07710 447868.