Church bells to ring out poll message

Dr Croft has asked churches with bells to ring them on polling day to remind people of the importance of casting their vote.

Within the letter he says: "Elections are an appropriate time for debate and for raising big questions in church and society and it is vital that as Christians we play our part.

"Confidence in politics is at a low ebb. There is a real danger that many people simply will not vote at all.

"I hope you will be doing all you can to raise the profile of the general and local elections. I am therefore asking as many Anglican churches in the diocese as possible to ring their church bells on election day as the polling stations open and again in the early evening.

"The bells are an alarm and a call to prayer which can sound in every community about the importance of cherishing our freedom and our democracy."

Dr Croft also says he will be working with the Bishop of Doncaster, Cyril Ashton, in the run-up to May 6 to "raise issues in the public domain".