Saved by the bells

A vicar who was locked inside his own church rang the bells to send an SOS distress signal to parishioners.

Reverend Steve Rathbone, 45, tugged on the bell rope as wife Jo, who was also locked in, prayed someone would hear them.

However, the couple's 16-year-old son Jake, who was next door in the vicarage, was too busy practising on his drum kit to hear his father's calls. And parishioners just thought the vicar was practising for a wedding.

After 20 minutes of ringing, neighbours eventually went to investigate the 'unusual rhythm' coming from the church, in Rainow, Macclesfield, and the couple were rescued.

Mr Rathbone said: 'We were accidentally locked in by a parishioner. When she heard the bells, she thought I was havin