A TEENAGER had to be rescued after becoming tangled in the ropes while bell ringing at St Helens Church in Abingdon.

The 17-year-old bell ringer had to be winched down by firefighters from 40ft up inside the church when it happened about 7pm yesterday.

Emergency services, including a specialist rescue team from Kidlington, helped rescue the teen before he was taken to hospital.

Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service said he suffered 'a number of injuries'.

The Fire and Rescue Service Incident Commander station manager Paul Webster said: "This was an excellent example of partnership working with our colleagues in South Central Ambulance Service, this is an unusual incident for the Fire and Rescue Service but another scenario we have to train for.

All crews worked well together to achieve a successful outcome as the incident required both specialist rescue knowledge and equipment and medical expertise. 

"Due to the steepness of the spiral staircase to the bell ringing room, there was not the option to carry the casualty out of the church on a stretcher."