SHORT compositions from two musically-gifted youngsters could be ringing out over Taunton long into the future.

Following the replacement of the bells in the tower at St Mary Magdalene Church, Taunton, a competition has been launched for school students o pen a new chime.

The new carillon was delivered to St Mary's just in time for the festive period, which was heralded in with the tune The First Noel.

However, the Bells of St Mary's project manager Rosemary Tuhey said: "It was a truly delightful way to start off Christmas morning, but the carillon only has that one tune at the moment.

"Old favourites will be digitally programmed into the new carillon, but we want Taunton schoolchildren to have the opportunity to compose a new tune to play out over the town for all to hear."

The tune competition for all Taunton secondary schools was launched on Tuesday and the two best tunes will be incorporated into the memory to play out over the town for many years to come.

The new bells will be dedicated by the Bishop of Bath and Wells on March 19, at 2.30pm.