For him the bells toll

A Dutch priest has been fined £3,400 (€5,000) for ringing his church bells too loudly in the morning.

The Catholic priest began his early morning bellwork soon after arriving in Tilburg about six months ago, a spokesman for the town council said. He would start ringing the bells at around seven in the morning.

This prompted dozens of complaints from residents, and the council in the southern town agreed the priest was breaking the rules.

'The priest can ring his bells whenever he likes but he has to keep within noise regulations. People don't appreciate it,' the spokesman said.

The priest risks further fines if he continues with the illicit bellage.

'We are still trying to find ways to make him stop,' the spokesman said.