Three young bellringers from Petersfield have narrowly missed out on a gong in a national contest.

Katherine Wilkins, Lauren Kidd and James Wedley competed with the Winchester and Portsmouth Guild Youth Team at the Ringing World National Youth Contest.

The trio from St Peter’s were on the ropes for several months ahead of their bid to claim The Whitechapel Trophy at the St Olave’s showpiece in The City.

And their practice nearly paid off as they missed out by one point to a Yorkshire group after entering a Method band ringing Plain Bob Triples.

A WPGY band of 8 bell-call change ringers also came joint ninth in the Robert Lewis Trophy competition.

More than 300 young ringers from around the UK took part with 34 teams competing in four different sections.

The WPGY participants also had the chance to ring at the historic Wren church of St Mary-le-Bow.

The results ceremony was held at St Paul’s Cathedral where proud parents and supporters gathered for the judges’ comments and medal ceremony.

“It’s tremendous that our guild was able to enter two 8-ball teams in this competition,” said Rachael Barber, WPGY master.

“That reflects the excellent striking that the W&P Youth Ringers, led by Andy Ingram, achieve throughout the year,” added Rachael, before thanking parents and supporters for their help in getting the young ringers to practice sessions.

She also thanked church teams in Catherington, Hursley, Bishopstoke and Hawkley for hosting squad practices in the run-up to the contest.