BELLRINGER Philip Tocock celebrated his 90th birthday today with a special peal that spelt out his love for his late wife and daughter.

His gift of two bells in their memory three years ago enabled St George's Church at Fordington, Dorchester, to have a full set of bells after a century of having just six.

And today, in honour of Major Tocock's birthday he helped ring the first peal on all eight.

Major Tocock, a bellringer since the 1930s, said: "I made the octave in memory of my dear wife Ethel and my daughter.

"My wife died in 2003 aged 83 and Diane died in 1993. She was 47 when she died of bowel cance. She lived in Dorchester.

The peal was rung early today by some of the finest bellringers from around the country as a tribute to Major Tocock.

Family and friends joined him at the church for the birthday peal.

His son, Philip, 59, said: "It's something he's not going to forget - it's very significant for dad.

"Bellringing is at the forefront in his life and always has been."

Mr Tocock said his father taught him and his brother bellringing and hand bellringing from a young age when they lived in Oxford.

His involvement with campanology continued through the Second World War when he was stationed with the 1st Royal Tank Regiment at Bovington.

He cycled around Dorset for practice sessions and to ring for Sunday services when he had time off from his regimental duties.

Major Tocock, of Roman Road in Dorchester, continues to pass on his expertise to trainee campanologists at St George's for weddings and services.

Organiser of the church tower, Priscilla House said: "St George's has only recently had eight bells and this was the first peal that has been rung on the eight.

"We don't usually ring peals but this is a special one-off occasion."

The bell-ringing chamber and bell tower were re-fitted in 1906 and two spaces were left in the hope that the final two bells would eventually be added.